Russia's push to replace Telegram with Max faces stubborn resistance
Russian authorities are pushing government agencies, universities, and the military to abandon Telegram in favour of the state-backed messaging app Max. Despite official pressure, many officials and troops remain reluctant to make the switch. Some have even resorted to using separate devices to avoid linking Max with their personal data.
The shift began in late 2025, when authorities started restricting Telegram. Voice and video calls were blocked in August, followed by throttling in October. By March 2026, advertising on Telegram was declared illegal, and a full blockade was announced for April. Digital Minister Maksut Shadaev stated in February that Telegram should only remain in use temporarily in war zones until Max fully replaces it.
The Ministry of Education has ordered institute directors and deans to promote Max among students. At Moscow Pedagogical State University, students were required to register on Max to keep accessing digital services. Yet, resistance persists—Russian troops in the Donetsk region have refused to install the app. Max has grown rapidly, reaching over 100 million users, with 70 million active daily by March 2026. However, distrust remains widespread. Many officials avoid installing Max on their personal phones, opting instead for separate devices with 'clean' SIM cards. This prevents the app from syncing with their private contacts.
The push to replace Telegram with Max continues, but compliance is uneven. While universities enforce registration and authorities threaten a full Telegram ban, scepticism lingers. Officials and soldiers alike are finding ways to keep their distance from the state-backed platform.
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