Hacker News Reader

Telegram is based in UK and UAE. One of the founder is now a French citizen. Telegram has been blocked in Russia in the past : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_Telegram_in_Russia

"has been blocked in Russia in the past" - Russia doesn't just unblock you for no reason after blocking.

it needs alternative to western services

there is a whole sea of antiputin communities on telegram, i doubt its putin-controlled