Russian servicemen stationed in the Donetsk region are reportedly pushing back against orders to adopt the state-controlled messaging app “MAX.” This information comes from agents of the ATESH partisan movement, who have been monitoring the situation within the 27th and 144th motorized rifle divisions of Russia’s 2nd Combined Arms Army as of February 15. The directive from Russian command mandates that all personnel transition to “MAX” by February 18, effectively prohibiting the use of any other messaging platforms. This has sparked notable discontent among both rank-and-file soldiers and some officers.
Communication Challenges and Resistance
The discontent appears to have escalated following recent disruptions to Starlink services, which have created significant communication and command challenges for Russian units. ATESH reports that these issues have contributed to personnel losses and the abandonment of previously held positions, particularly in the Huliaipole direction. Soldiers and officers alike are reportedly seeking ways to circumvent the installation of “MAX,” which many perceive as a form of spyware under the complete control of security services.
Some servicemen have expressed intentions to acquire a second phone solely for inspections, ensuring that only “MAX” is installed on it. Meanwhile, reports suggest that officers may be turning a blind eye to the continued use of Telegram among the troops. According to ATESH, there is a widespread belief among Russian soldiers that utilizing the state messenger could eventually lead to criminal or disciplinary repercussions. “All servicemen are convinced that the use of the state messenger will sooner or later result in criminal or disciplinary charges, because it is impossible to wage war strictly in accordance with existing laws and orders,” the movement stated.
Broader Implications of Communication Disruptions
This internal resistance to the “MAX” messenger unfolds against a backdrop of broader communication setbacks for Russian forces on the front lines. As reported by The Moscow Times, a senior NATO official indicated that Ukrainian troops have begun to gain ground in the Zaporizhzhia region following the loss of access to Starlink satellite internet by Russian units. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that this disruption has significantly weakened Russia’s operational command and control capabilities, suggesting that any alternative systems introduced by Moscow are unlikely to match the effectiveness of Starlink.
Pro-war Russian military bloggers had previously warned that cutting off Starlink would severely impact frontline coordination, with some labeling the system as irreplaceable for battlefield communications and management. The Moscow Times also highlighted that the Starlink terminals utilized by Russian forces were operating illegally, having allegedly been smuggled into Russia and activated despite being registered as located in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory. This issue had previously been discussed between the Pentagon and SpaceX, and while hundreds of unauthorized terminals were disabled in the summer of 2024, the broader problem persisted, allowing some Russian units to continue relying on the system until the recent disruptions.
In a related note, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church recently called on parishioners to pray for the restoration of Telegram after Russia’s media regulator imposed stricter restrictions on the messaging service. Alexander Mikushin, serving at the Pokrovsky Cathedral in Barnaul, urged Russians to “ask God” to grant “wisdom” to officials at Roskomnadzor responsible for the decision to block the platform, emphasizing that Telegram serves not only as a messaging app but also as a space for “prayer, heartfelt conversation, and helping one’s neighbor.”
