The Kremlin is pushing Russians to use Max instead of Telegram, currently the country’s most popular messaging app [File] | Photo Credit: Reuters Russia sees Chinese tech giant Tencent’s WeChat messaging app and TikTok sister app Douyin as models for developing its own struggling Max messaging app, Vladimir Kiriyenko, CEO of state-controlled internet firm VK, said on Wednesday (April 8, 2026). The Kremlin is pushing Russians to use Max instead of Telegram, currently the country’s most popular messaging app, but is facing stiff resistance from users, who argue that Max lags far behind its rival in terms of functionality. Published – April 09, 2026 11:36 am IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation 1.14 lakh HIV patients receiving free care through 127 testing, 33 ART centres in Telangana: Health Minister Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Voters, candidates, and key facts at a glance