Pavel Durov posts video breaking the law in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz – Pavel Durov, the founder of VKontakte and Telegram, took a dip in the icy waters of Lake Kolsai in the Almaty region.

Durov shared a video of the plunge in his Telegram stories, captioning it briefly: "Had a great swim". The footage shows him calmly entering the crystal-clear water.

t.me/durov

However, some users questioned whether swimming in the Kolsai lakes is allowed and whether it could result in a fine. According to national park rules, tourists are permitted to enter the water only in designated areas. Swimming in other zones or during the cold season is formally considered a violation.

Tengrinews.kz contacted the Department for the Protection of Natural Complexes of the national park, which confirmed that swimming in the lake is an administrative offense subject to a fine. The lake is closed for swimming for all visitors.

Violators face a penalty of 10 monthly calculation indices (MCI), which amounts to 39,320 tenge.

The Kolsai Lakes are a group of three scenic mountain lakes in the Zailiysky Alatau, Almaty Region, located at elevations from 1,800 to 2,500 meters above sea level. The water is crystal clear and cold, rarely exceeding 15°C even in summer.

Durov’s visit likely followed his participation in the Digital Bridge 2025 forum in Astana, where he was a guest speaker. Previously, he made a lighthearted joke about finding a wife and announced the opening of an AI laboratory in Kazakhstan.