Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed he survived an apparent poisoning attempt in 2018 but chose not to disclose it until now. Speaking on Lex Fridman’s podcast, Durov said he collapsed after noticing a suspicious neighbor leaving something at his door.
He described excruciating pain, loss of vision and hearing, and paralysis that left him unable to walk for two weeks. “That was the only instant in my life when I think I was dying,” Durov said.
Here's my 4+ hour conversation with Pavel Durov (@durov), founder and CEO of Telegram. This was one of the most fascinating and powerful conversations I've ever had in my life.
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) September 30, 2025
We discuss everything from his philosophy on freedom to government bureaucracies, intelligence… pic.twitter.com/DDBTnE7A2t
At the time, Russia was attempting to ban Telegram while Durov was raising funds for the TON blockchain project. Investigative journalist Christo Grozev noted the symptoms matched nerve-agent poisoning and urged Durov to release more details.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov reveals he was target of 2018 poisoning attempt that shut down his body: ‘Thought I was dying’ https://t.co/wm2IvbusXp pic.twitter.com/GW6aSJQ0bZ
— New York Post (@nypost) October 2, 2025
Durov, who now holds French and UAE citizenship, was arrested in Paris last year over Telegram’s handling of illegal content but later released on bail.
Also read:
TIPP Staff
