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Posted on 02/12/2026 11:18:13 AM PST by USA-FRANCE
Russian soldiers and military bloggers have railed against the Kremlin after it restricted access to the Telegram messaging app. Widespread disruptions to the app were reported on Monday and Tuesday as Roskomnadzor, the Russian state media regulator, said it would levy its strongest restrictions on Telegram’s operations yet. The internet watchdog said the move would safeguard Russian citizens against “criminal and terrorist” content, in Moscow’s latest crackdown on the free internet.
Roskomnadzor, which has for years crusaded for a “sovereign internet” liberated from Western influence, has over the past six months imposed new limits on Telegram and WhatsApp at least three times, blocking audio and video calls on both platforms in August.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
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That app can activate the microphone and camera at the government’s discretion.
The Kremlin now controls everything in Russia — in a more efficient way than even Stalin did.
To me, the odd thing is that Telegram is a Russian app. I assumed that the Kremlin already has backdoors to it.
“As of February 12, 2026, Russia has significantly escalated its digital restrictions, blocking major platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and restricting YouTube, aiming to force users toward state-approved alternatives. These measures are part of a broader, long-term effort to control information flow and surveillance.”
obviously, Putin doesn’t want his citizens knowing the truth about his unmitigated disaster in Ukraine ...
The real problem is this... many Russian military bloggers are actually reporting constant bad news about how badly it goes for Russia concerning its botched war against Ukraine.
The Russian Government hate to see that being published all over Telegram for the whole world to see... That’s why they just banned it!
At the same time... :
Starlink stopped functioning (thank you Elon!) for Russia about a week ago... that alone created ABSOLUTE chaos for Russian troops. They are now in a very dire situation. While Ukraine is doing successful contra-offensives with a functioning Starlink on steroids.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was detained (or arrested) by the French a short while ago. Looks like they are allowing him to travel outside France again, but he remains “under investigation.”
Does this mean if I’m a Russian citizen, I couldn’t send Morse Code anymore?
No, it means Russian citizens can't send messages like this: 
SJ
Gerasimov and others in the Russian staff must really be blowing smoke up Putin's butt about conditions on the front for the Russian government to do this. The more interesting possibility is they don't know how bad Russian official comms are because tactical commanders are lying as well.
These channels are also important for personal communication and venting. With the loss of Starlink its almost as though the lid on the pressure cooker is sealed shut.
So, they're like the UK?
“To me, the odd thing is that Telegram is a Russian app. I assumed that the Kremlin already has backdoors to it.”
Developed by two Russian brothers but not a Russian app.
Have you ever traveled outside the USA?
Europe has more than just Russia as an authoritarian government: the UK arrests far more people every year for politically incorrect speech criticizing regime policies than Russia. FR and DE routinely do the same, especially arresting political candidates at politically convenient moments before elections.
— “I assumed that the Kremlin already has backdoors to it.”
Backdoor is not sufficient.
Russia wants EVERYONE on MAX Messenger; it does it all under Big Brother.
“MAX (stylized as MAX or Max Messenger) is a Russian-developed “super-app” released in 2025 by VK, designed to replace foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Mandated for pre-installation on new devices in Russia, it combines messaging, calls, payments, and government services, while raising major surveillance concerns due to a lack of end-to-end encryption.”
No government checks without a MAX account, don’t leave home without it.
I’m amazed they still use telegrams.
None of my friends here in Russia wants to download MAX. Sadly, it looks like there won’t be any alternatives. It really stinks because I manage my English club through it. I have over 250 people in my club, and if Telegram were to abruptly shut down, it would suck since I still don’t have everyone’s emails to move to another platform. I guess I’ll be busy over the next few days trying to get as many as I can.
Absolutely correct.
“That app can activate the microphone and camera at the government’s discretion.”
The companies that you buy your apps from can activate your microhone and camera at their discretion. They also can rummage through your contacts and email.
The Kremlin has just eliminated Russians’ last hope for free speech. Now, the ultra-powerful government wants every single Russian citizen to use the state-run communication app - an app that is being forced down people’s throats.
—
They have to use Max now, a crappy immature piece of code.
Does this mean if I’m a Russian citizen, I couldn’t send Morse Code anymore?
—
You could, but it would mean a stay in an FSB hotel.
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