Pavel Durov is a Russian entrepreneur and programmer, best known as the creator of the VKontakte social network and Telegram messenger. Here are some key points about his life and career: 1. Birth and education: Pavel Durov was born on October 10, 1984 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). He graduated from St. Petersburg State University, where he studied philology. 2. The creation of VKontakte: In 2006, Durov launched the VKontakte social network, which quickly became one of the most popular platforms in Russia and the CIS countries. He served as CEO until 2014. 3. Leaving VKontakte: In 2014, after a conflict with the new owners of the company, Durov left VKontakte and sold his share in the project. 4. Creating Telegram: In the same year, he launched the Telegram messenger, which became known for its security and protection of user data. Telegram quickly gained popularity both in Russia and abroad. 5. Philosophy and values: Durov is known for his principles of freedom of speech and co