Through these groups and channels, organisations can reach hundreds of thousands of people with messages and audio/video live streaming – all of which is encrypted and stored on the Telegram “cloud”. It facilitates public and private groups of up to 200,000 users (where individuals can send messages and interact), and channels (which allow one-way broadcasting to channel subscribers). Telegram has several key features that make it an appealing option for communications relating to the war. It has even been a go-to point of contact for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Now Telegram is providing some clarity in a foggy environment of (mostly Russian) disinformation. The platform was first created in 2013 by Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov – a figure who has butted heads with the increasingly authoritarian Russian state on numerous occasions. It’s a free cloud-based app that allows users to send and receive messages, calls, photos, videos, audio and other files. Telegram is one of the most popular social apps in Ukraine and Russia, and has been since before the invasion began.

But what is it about Telegram that has millions flocking to it amid the chaos?įake viral footage is spreading alongside the real horror in Ukraine. The instant messaging app Telegram has surfaced as one of the most important channels through which to do so.

What is the telegram app used for