President of the World’s Largest Country Launches Channel on Russian Messenger MAX

Closer to the People

Any user of the national messenger MAX can now subscribe to Vladimir Putin’s official channel to receive information on his activities, global projects, and state visits directly. As the Kremlin’s press service noted on September 8, “the official channel of the President of Russia is now live on MAX.” Several hundred thousand people have already subscribed.

The emergence of another communication channel brings government messages closer to the public, making important updates more accessible. For the Russian government, the move expands audience reach, enabling it to share news about the country, its culture, traditions, and the president’s daily activities while also strengthening the nation’s digital information space.

A Breakthrough Toward Digital Sovereignty

The development of Russia’s cross-platform messenger reflects the global trend toward digital sovereignty. MAX has become both an alternative to Western messengers and a central element of Russia’s broader digital policy.

MAX is critical for ensuring uninterrupted communication. For example, if foreign platforms attempt to cut off internet access or block foreign messengers, MAX cannot be disabled. The same applies to other digital resources. An isolated internet segment means we can operate independently of foreign services

Eldar Murtazin

Lead Analyst at Mobile Research Group

This spring, a new version was launched with audio and video calls, chats, voice messages, file transfers, and money transfers. Information channels are also being tested.

By early September, MAX had already attracted 30 million users, along with more than 200 media outlets, bloggers, companies, government bodies, and educational institutions. State policy has further boosted adoption: since September 1, the messenger must be pre-installed on all electronic devices. The country’s four largest mobile operators—T2, Beeline, MegaFon, and MTS—provide access to MAX without restrictions.

Fighting Fraud and Spam

Another selling point for MAX is its security. According to the Ministry of Digital Development, Russians can now protect their Gosuslugi (state services) accounts with one-time codes delivered through MAX. The messenger’s support team has also been proactive in fighting cybercrime: in July 2025 alone, MAX’s Security Center blocked more than 10,000 phone numbers and removed over 32,000 malicious or spam files.

Foreign messengers face greater challenges in dealing with scams, since they often fail to provide law enforcement with timely access to critical data. In MAX, every chatbot is created by verified organizations. The platform will soon be integrated with services like Goskey, Gosuslugi, and ESIA, with even more functionality planned.

Currently available only to users with Russian and Belarusian numbers, MAX is designed to become a daily part of digital life in Russia. Its growth, integration with government services, and increasing adoption make it a practical and secure alternative to foreign messengers. Experts see it as a large-scale project with serious potential, provided the developers continue resolving technical challenges and building user trust.