The FSB said in a Wednesday statement that Telegram's administration had failed to remove "numerous channels, chats and bots" allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and terrorist and extremist organisations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage, terrorism, mass murder and cyberfraud within Russia, which the agency said had resulted in "numerous human casualties." If convicted, Durov could face up to life in prison in Russia.

Durov, 41, was born and began his career in Russia before moving abroad; Telegram's official website lists the company as based in Dubai, where Durov — who holds dual French and UAE citizenship — currently lives. He had already announced earlier this year that Russian authorities had opened a criminal investigation against him, at the time accusing them of fabricating pretexts to restrict access to Telegram as part of what he called an effort to suppress the right to privacy and free speech. Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fresh charges, though the platform's official X account posted an image of Durov making an obscene gesture shortly after the announcement.

The charges arrive as Russian authorities have moved to significantly restrict Telegram — one of the most widely used messaging apps in the country — with the service now effectively throttled, forcing many Russian users to rely on VPNs to access it. The move is part of a broader, long-running effort under President Vladimir Putin to bring the internet under closer state control, one that has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Even as access is restricted, Russian state bodies including the Kremlin and the defence ministry have continued posting to Telegram on a daily basis, and the platform has been described as a virtual battlefield in the broader Russia-Ukraine conflict, used by officials and soldiers on both sides.

This isn't Durov's only ongoing legal exposure. He already faces a separate criminal case in France, where he was handed preliminary charges in 2024 over allegations of allowing criminal activity on Telegram, spanning 12 counts including complicity in drug trafficking. The Kremlin had criticised French authorities' action against Durov at the time as "selective." Durov returned to Dubai last year after spending several months in France amid that case.

Russia has separately been promoting its own domestically developed messaging app, known as MAX, which critics say could be used for state surveillance — positioning it as a potential Telegram alternative even as the platform Durov built continues to operate, in restricted form, inside the country he no longer calls home.

Global technology, corporate earnings, taxation, and digital communication remained in focus on Wednesday, with Russia placing Telegram founder Pavel Durov on its international wanted list, Adani Group companies announcing contrasting quarterly results, and WhatsApp introducing web-based calling functionality.

Russia places Telegram founder Pavel Durov on international wanted list

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and placed him on an international wanted list.

Russian authorities allege Telegram failed to remove channels, bots, and groups that were allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and extremist organizations for cyber fraud, sabotage, and terrorist activities inside Russia.

The case further intensifies the Kremlin's long-standing dispute with Telegram. Durov, who currently resides in the UAE, has previously maintained that Telegram prioritizes user privacy and freedom of speech. Extradition remains unlikely unless he travels to a country with an extradition agreement with Russia.

Adani Enterprises reports ₹1,160 crore quarterly loss

Adani Enterprises reported a consolidated net loss of ₹1,160 crore for the April-June quarter of FY2026-27, compared with a profit of ₹885 crore during the same period last year.

The company attributed the loss primarily to a ₹2,644 crore settlement payment made to a US regulatory authority.

Despite the loss, Adani Enterprises recorded strong operational growth.

• Revenue surged nearly 50% year-on-year

• Quarterly revenue increased to ₹32,900 crore (approx.), reflecting robust performance across its diversified businesses.

The settlement-related one-time expense significantly impacted the bottom line despite higher operating income.

Adani Ports posts double-digit profit growth

In contrast, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) delivered a strong first-quarter performance.

The company reported:

• Net Profit: ₹3,650 crore (up 10% YoY)

• Revenue: ₹10,821 crore (up 19% YoY)

The growth was driven by higher cargo volumes, improved domestic port operations, and continued expansion of international logistics businesses.

The company maintained positive guidance for the remainder of the financial year.

Only three days left to file Income Tax Returns

The Income Tax Department has reminded taxpayers that July 31, 2026 is the last date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for most salaried individuals.

Taxpayers who miss the deadline can still submit a belated return until December 31, 2026, but will be required to pay a late filing fee of up to ₹5,000, depending on taxable income.

Tax experts advise taxpayers to verify Form 26AS, Annual Information Statement (AIS), and pre-filled return details before submission to avoid future notices.

WhatsApp Web gets audio and video calling support

Meta-owned WhatsApp has rolled out audio and video calling directly through WhatsApp Web, eliminating the need to install the desktop application.

The new feature allows users to:

• Make and receive voice calls

• Conduct video calls directly from supported web browsers

• Use screen sharing during calls

The update is expected to benefit office users, students, and individuals working on shared or restricted computers where installing desktop applications is not permitted.

Market Watch

• Indian equity markets are expected to remain focused on corporate earnings and global developments.

• Investors will track quarterly results from Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai Motor India.

• Manipal Health Enterprises IPO opens for subscription today.

• Petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged across major Indian cities.

Russia has placed Telegram founder Pavel Durov on its international wanted list after accusing him of facilitating terrorist activities through the messaging platform. The development marks a major escalation in the Kremlin's long-running dispute with Telegram over content moderation and user privacy.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that Durov is being investigated under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which relates to aiding or facilitating terrorist activity. If convicted, the 41-year-old entrepreneur could face life imprisonment under Russian law.

FSB Alleges Telegram Enabled Terror Activities

According to the FSB, the case centres on Telegram's alleged failure to remove channels, chat groups and automated bots that Russian authorities claim were used by hostile organisations.

Investigators alleged that Ukrainian intelligence-linked groups and extremist organisations used the platform to coordinate sabotage, cyber fraud and attacks inside Russia.

The agency also claimed that a Telegram chatbot known as Dayvinchik was allegedly used to recruit young Russians between the ages of 12 and 22 to participate in arson attacks and assaults on law enforcement personnel.

Russian authorities said they have detained 46 individuals across 10 regions since July 2025 in connection with the alleged recruitment network.

Long-Running Conflict With Kremlin

The latest charges add to Durov's years-long confrontation with Russian authorities.

Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to hand over user data and subsequently sold his stake in the country's largest social networking platform, VKontakte (VK).

He currently resides in Dubai and holds French and UAE citizenship.

Earlier this year, Durov revealed that Russian authorities had quietly opened a criminal investigation against him. At the time, he accused the Kremlin of attempting to restrict Telegram and undermine users' privacy.

He also alleged that Russian authorities were increasingly targeting encrypted communication platforms under the pretext of national security.

Telegram Faces Legal Pressure Beyond Russia

The Russian case comes while Durov continues to face legal scrutiny in Europe.

In 2024, French authorities arrested him in Paris and initiated multiple investigations related to Telegram's alleged failure to adequately moderate content connected to drug trafficking, money laundering and child sexual abuse material.

After several months under judicial supervision in France, Durov returned to Dubai in early 2025.

Extradition Appears Unlikely

Although Russia has issued an international wanted notice, legal experts believe extradition may prove difficult.

As a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, where he currently resides, Durov is unlikely to be extradited to Russia unless he travels to a country that has an extradition agreement with Moscow.

Neither Telegram nor Pavel Durov has issued an official statement responding to the latest Russian charges.