Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday it has begun “partially” restricting voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, describing the measure as necessary to combat fraud, extortion and the recruitment of citizens for sabotage and terrorist activities, according to state agencies Interfax, RIA and TASS. The watchdog said the ban applies only to audio calls and will be lifted once the platforms comply with Russian data-access rules. Telegram told Russian media it already removes thousands of illicit posts each day; Meta Platforms, the owner of WhatsApp, has not commented. The step deepens the Kremlin’s drive for digital sovereignty. In July, President Vladimir Putin signed a law authorising development of a state-controlled messenger, known as MAX, that will come pre-installed on new smartphones and share user data with authorities on request. Lawmakers have warned WhatsApp could eventually be forced out of the Russian market. WhatsApp and Telegram are the country’s two most-used apps, drawing about 96 million and 89 million monthly users respectively, according to research firm Mediascope. Analysts say curbing their voice services may steer traffic toward domestic alternatives and further tighten official control over Russia’s online communications.