Russian MAX Messenger Integrates Emergency Services in St. Petersburg Pilot

Russia’s homegrown MAX messenger now offers direct access to emergency hotlines 112 and 122 via chat and voice — promising faster response times and one‑click convenience for millions of users.

Russia’s domestic messaging app MAX has rolled out official accounts for the country’s rescue service (112) and information hotline (122) in St. Petersburg, allowing residents to request help through text chat or in‑app voice calls. The pilot program will gradually integrate other municipal agencies into the platform, positioning MAX as a centralized hub for urgent and everyday government services.

By embedding emergency‑service channels directly into the app, MAX aims to streamline request processing and shave critical seconds off response times. Officials say this unified approach will make reaching first responders more convenient — simply open the chat, type or speak your need, and specialists on the other end are already in the loop.

Starting September 1, 2025, MAX will come preinstalled on every smartphone and tablet sold in Russia. At that point, “one‑click help” will be available to all users nationwide. But the app has already proved popular: over one million downloads to date, with users praising its broad functionality — particularly its banking features and utility‑bill payment options.

With built‑in emergency‑service access and comprehensive everyday tools, MAX is positioning itself as Russia’s go‑to platform for both critical support and routine civic tasks.