regulations

Russian servicemen in the Donetsk region are resisting orders to adopt the state-controlled messaging app “MAX,” as reported by ATESH partisan movement agents monitoring the 27th and 144th motorized rifle divisions. A directive requires all personnel to transition to “MAX” by February 18, banning other platforms, which has caused dissatisfaction among soldiers and officers. Communication issues have worsened due to recent disruptions to Starlink services, leading to personnel losses and the abandonment of positions, particularly in the Huliaipole direction. Some servicemen plan to use a second phone for inspections to comply with the order, while officers may overlook continued use of Telegram. Soldiers fear that using the state messenger could result in criminal charges. The internal resistance occurs amid broader communication setbacks for Russian forces, with reports indicating that the loss of Starlink has weakened operational command and control capabilities. Russian military bloggers had warned that cutting off Starlink would hinder frontline coordination. Additionally, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church has called for prayers to restore Telegram following stricter regulations imposed by Russia’s media regulator.