1/ Leaked orders from the Russian Ministry of Defence show that Telegram is being banned immediately for operational use by Russian forces in Ukraine, with soldiers reportedly facing being sent to their deaths in assaults if they are found not to be complying. ⬇️ 
2/ The orders, published by 'Unmanned Brotherhood' on Telegram, are intended to "counter enemy technical reconnaissance means, close possible leakage channels and prevent the disclosure of information about the actions of troops in the area of a special military operation".
3/ They impose a strict ban on the use by soldiers of Telegram, which is now to be treated as a "gross disciplinary offence":
4/ "Exclude the use of the TELEGRAM messenger and other open (unprotected) communication channels for communicating orders and instructions, target designations,…
5/ …conducting official negotiations on the provision and staffing of units, correspondence and exchange of information constituting a state secret and an official secret in the field of defence".
6/ Telegram and Discord are additionally prohibited for use "to display images", which represents an immediate ban on any use of the apps to coordinate any operational activity that requires a map, photograph or video (they have been used heavily to coordinate drone activity).
7/ The orders indicate that this is part of a broad crackdown on using "foreign software from untrusted sources". Soldiers are also banned from using non-approved map applications and may only use the approved "ZOV MAPS" app.
8/ The crackdown extends to Russian soldiers in Ukraine who run their own blogs from the war zone (of which there are many). The Russian MOD orders commanders to "prohibit the presence of media representatives and internet bloggers who do not have accreditation in the …
9/ …[Special Military Operation] zone, and to allow accredited correspondents to work with the troops only with permission." Soldiers are prohibited from the "participation (creation, administration) of thematic Internet publics and Telegram channels."
10/ The orders also instruct troops to "install the Russian messenger 'MAX'" if they want to communicate with family and friends. This now appears to be the only approved messenger, as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. are already banned.
11/ However, MAX is not to be used for any operational purposes, despite its purported high level of security: "Prohibit the use of the MAX messenger for communicating orders and instructions, target designations,…
12/ …conducting official negotiations on the provision and staffing of units, correspondence and exchange of information constituting a state secret and official secret in the field of defence."
13/ Instead of using non-approved apps, only "special software from the MSIO" (Inter-Service Information Exchange System, a Russian military data network) may be used.
14/ The orders name the approved software as "KTS SVYAZ (CHEREPAKHA), GROZA, BURN, MISHUTA, etc., as well as the POSTLINK messenger, which is certified in accordance with information security requirements."
15/ Very belatedly, the orders also ban the use of the cheap Chinese-made analogue radios that are widely used by Russian forces, as well as Ukrainian mobile networks and technology captured from the Ukrainians, likely because of the fear of interception and compromise:
16/ "4. Prohibit use of:
– open cellular communication channels for transmitting information about the locations of units and military units, the availability of personnel and military equipment, tasks being performed and other service information;
– open cellular communication channels for transmitting information about the locations of units and military units, the availability of personnel and military equipment, tasks being performed and other service information;
17/ "– SIM cards of Ukrainian mobile operators;
– the use of captured technical devices and machine-readable storage media by military personnel;
– smartphones by military personnel while performing military duties;
– the use of captured technical devices and machine-readable storage media by military personnel;
– smartphones by military personnel while performing military duties;
18/ "– Prohibit the use of mobile communications equipment and foreign-made technical equipment that transmit information via wireless channels for the management of units and the transmission of official information."
19/ According to numerous Russian warbloggers, this order has gone into effect immediately. Warblogger 'Thirteenth' says: "Military personnel will now check their phones, and anyone found using Telegram will be sent on an assault mission with an asterisk (a one-way trip)." /end
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