Controversy Surrounding Telegram: for the First Time russia Sees Widespread Discussion of Crisis of Confidence in Government

For the second week in a row, heated debate has been raging in russia over the potential complete blocking of Telegram. “z-authors” and military correspondents call this a shot in the leg because, according to them, Telegram has become the main tool for operational coordination on the front lines for the russian army – from planning tasks to raising funds for drones, medicine, and transport.

Blocking or seriously restricting the messenger will paralyze communication, complicate volunteer fundraising, and lead to increased losses, because the alternative in the form of “Max” (the state messenger) does not work properly, requires powerful gadgets, and causes distrust due to total control by the fsb. Even pro-kremlin bloggers openly write that switching to Max will mean the death of thousands of soldiers, and volunteer fundraising will fall by 50-80%.

The crisis has revealed a deep rift between the front and the kremlin: the “z-community” is accusing roskomnadzor en masse of aiding the enemy, and the authorities – of treating “patriots” with contempt. The authors openly talk about the state’s “contemptuous and dismissive” attitude to 100+ million Telegram users, the illogical statements of the fsb and propagandists, who initially criticized the blockade but then “turned on a dime”. This is the first time that a crisis of faith in “own state” among “patriots” has been recorded on such a massive scale.