Feb 18 • 18:30 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania 15min

After the 'Z' bloggers' hysteria - a new Russian decision

The Russian government has decided not to restrict the operation of 'Telegram' in the SVO zone, according to statements from officials amid concerns over the platform's reliability.

Russian authorities have announced that there will be no restrictions on the operation of the messaging app 'Telegram' in the Special Military Operation (SVO) zone, as stated by M. Å adajevas during a meeting of the State Duma's Information Policy Committee. This decision appears to stem from the belief that reliance on messaging applications for military coordination is impractical, a view echoed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov. Authorities are expecting a gradual shift towards using Russian service providers, which raises questions about the platform's role in military communication.

Earlier, there were concerns regarding the functionality of 'Telegram', particularly between February 13 and 16, when users across 80 regions in Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, reported significant disruptions. This prompted fears among users and content creators that such outages could adversely impact military operations and coordination in the ongoing conflict. Kremlin officials, however, have downplayed these concerns, suggesting that traditional communication methods would remain critical in maintaining effective command and control on the front lines.

The discussions surrounding the potential restrictions and the subsequent reassurances from officials reflect broader tensions in Russia regarding information control and military communications amid ongoing operations. The Kremlin's dismissal of potential issues related to 'Telegram' emphasizes its ongoing strategy to maintain a stable information environment while navigating the complexities of its military engagements.

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