Since February, at least three criminal cases in Russia have become known that are tied to paid reactions and Telegram Stars transfers. The most high-profile case involves 60-year-old Moscow region resident Galina Umyarova, whom the Domodedovo city court placed in custody under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code on assisting terrorist activity.
According to investigators, she sent 100 paid reactions worth 219 rubles to a Telegram post, thereby financing the Freedom of Russia Legion, which is banned in Russia. She faces 8 to 15 years in prison. The hearing on pretrial restrictions was held behind closed doors, Ostorozhno Media’s reporter said on April 3.
The defense argues that the transfer may have been made after her account was hacked: lawyer Maksim Sikach says Umyarova’s account was compromised twice. Relatives also said she had no interest in politics and may have clicked a suspicious link by mistake. Her lawyers asked for house arrest, citing difficult family circumstances: her husband has cancer, and she lives with her 84-year-old mother and 94-year-old mother-in-law, both of whom require constant care.
Lawyer Yulia Kurina said that, in criminal law terms, what matters is the very fact of financing a banned organization rather than the amount transferred, although direct intent remains a necessary element.
Another case is being investigated in the Kemerovo region: on March 18, investigators said they had detained a 17-year-old teenager from Belovo who is accused of financing terrorism through paid reactions under posts by an organization designated as “terrorist.” He was placed under house arrest. In the Tyumen region, authorities earlier opened a case against a 56-year-old man who, according to Ura.ru, is also accused of using Telegram Stars.
This wave of prosecutions is unfolding amid renewed pressure on Telegram. In the summer of 2025, Roskomnadzor began restricting calls in the messenger, and in late February RBC, citing a source, reported plans to fully block the service in early April.