Russia has fully blocked the US-based messaging platform, WhatsApp, citing a failure by its parent company, Meta Platforms, to comply with local laws. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the decision on Thursday, February 12, stating that the government has implemented the ban due to "Meta's unwillingness to comply with Russian law."

This move against the mounting pressure on WhatsApp and a broader push by Russian authorities to promote a state-backed "national messenger" called MAX. Urging citizens to switch to MAX, Peskov said, “MAX is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger, and it is available on the market for citizens as an alternative," he said.

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What Is MAX?

MAX, released in March 2025, is a Russian messaging application designed to operate as a universal mobile application or ‘super app’. The application is seen as an upgraded version of the VK messenger, which had struggled to gain significant market traction.

Apart from messaging, MAX is designed to operate as a "super app", allowing users to use the functions of social media, digital ID verification, and electronic signatures. It also provides access to Gosuslugi, Russia's digital platform for municipal services.

This development follows a 2024 meeting led by President Vladimir Putin, where it was planned to establish MAX, an official Russian messenger, similar to platforms like China's WeChat or South Korea's KakaoTalk.

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To push the state-backed national messenger, the Russian authorities mandated that MAX be pre-installed on all smartphones sold in the country starting from September 2025.

'MAX An Accessible Alternative To WhatsApp': Kremlin

After fully blocking WhatsApp and restricting other messaging apps, the Russian authorities are promoting state-backed "national messenger" MAX as an alternative. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that MAX will serve as an accessible alternative for mobile users in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Peskov said, "MAX is an accessible alternative, a developing messenger, a national messenger, and it is available on the market for citizens as an alternative".


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