Kwozyman

The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov provided substantiated evidence that russian special services have access to personal correspondence of Telegram users, even deleted messages, as well as their personal data.

In fact, Ukraine has decided to severely restrict Telegram use, especially because of Russian intelligence having access to data: https://www.rnbo.gov.ua/en/Diialnist/6994.html?hl=en-US

I mean, he was also arrested by French authorities. The guy seems to be quite fishy to say the least.

You’re allowed to say “Russian” here. You are also correct. Perhaps not in the strict sense of it being a honeypot, but it is under Russian control.