On Telegram, Russian military channels were quick to respond to the arrest of Pavel Durov. Among them, a photo spread quickly: a missile, decorated, on one of its sides with “For Durov”. Shells and a message towards… the West.
One after the other, discussion channels for the war, inspired by real fake military experts and “war correspondents”who defended Telegram’s founder, called for his release and put t-shirts on sale « #SaorDurov ». “We currently live in a world where the ideas of George Orwell have completely triumphed”Boris Rojine regrets on Colonelcassadone of the most popular military routes.
Beyond the promotional effects laid out on this huge platform of personal “blogs”, there is a truth: in two and a half years. “special operation” from the Kremlin to Ukraine, Telegram has become a powerful channel used by Russian military networks, including on the ground. A priori that cannot be controlled by the Western but also Russian intelligence services, Telegram is one of the bases for military communication on the front and for the exchange of information behind the front.
Last year, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner militia, used his main communication network to criticize the high command and call for support from public opinion. For Russians – including soldiers – who are looking for information beyond the official messages from Kremlin television, Telegram is therefore a part of everyday life. However, for 24 hours, instructions have been sent to the Russian general staff asking them stop using the app. At the same time, the promoter Margarita Simonyan asked users to delete all their sensitive messages. That’s how a wave of panic began: if his soldiers are banned from Telegram due to the arrest of Pavel Durov, how can we continue to communicate?
“Main method of information exchange” in the Russian army
For military bloggers of all kinds, it is clear: the arrest of Pavel Durov is part of the war waged by the West against Russia. “Telegram is currently the basis of our military communications. Now everything is at risk”, warns Alexei Sukonkinone of these military “commentators” on his Telegram channel. Others, like blogger Roman Alekhinebeginning to worry about the practical effects of this arrest: “As soon as Durov returns the keys to Telegram, and it is only a matter of time, and in his absence [d’outils de communication efficaces]our army will become even more vulnerable”fear Roman Alekhine. Rybar, the Telegram channel close to the Russian Defense Ministry, summarizes the problem: “The head of the main means of information exchange within the Russian armed forces has been arrested by the French police. They take away our normal communication more or less! »