Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Friday that Ukraine is actively working to penetrate Max, the messaging app backed by the Russian state. This development comes amid ongoing restrictions imposed by Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, on popular messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp. These measures appear to be aimed at encouraging Russian users to transition to Max, which is positioned as a state-sanctioned alternative.
Zelensky noted that both Ukrainian and Russian intelligence agencies utilize Telegram for recruitment and to influence public perception regarding the ongoing conflict. He remarked, “With the restrictions on Telegram in Russia, it will certainly be more difficult to transmit signals to their society.” Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to engage with the new network, stating, “I had a report about their new network, Max. We’ll get to Max as well,” though he refrained from providing further details.
Current State of Messaging Services in Russia
Reports from individuals across Russia indicated access issues with Telegram over the past weekend, leading to speculation among technology experts that the government may have initiated a blockade of the app ahead of a more extensive crackdown expected next month. Russian authorities justify their stringent measures against Telegram and WhatsApp by citing security concerns, particularly in light of increasing attacks attributed to Ukraine and its Western allies.
Access to Max is currently limited to Russian citizens possessing domestic phone numbers, as well as users from countries considered “friendly” to the Kremlin. This restriction further underscores the government’s efforts to control the flow of information within its borders.
AFP contributed reporting.
