Telegram Premium Payment Issues Hit Russian Users
In April 2026, Telegram Premium users in Russia faced difficulties paying for their subscription due to changes in payment rules. Russian Visa, Mastercard, and MIR cards are no longer accepted, and mobile balance top-ups were disabled at the request of the Ministry of Digital Development.
The usual methods still available include foreign virtual cards, gift codes, and TON cryptocurrency via Fragment. Telegram Premium offers several features that speed up work in the messenger, including increased file limits, fast transcription of voice messages, and accelerated downloads.
The price of a one-month subscription depends on the payment channel, but buying directly through the Telegram Premium bot is cheaper than going through stores or intermediaries. The two-year subscription via @PremiumBot for 1,990 ₽ is currently the best option.