1/ Russia's blocking of Telegram is having a devastating effect on the volunteer communities that support the Russian army in Ukraine. A Russian warblogger posts a despairing account of how the 'humanitarian aid' system has all but collapsed as a result. ⬇️ 
2/ The Russian army is hugely dependent on volunteer-provided 'humanitarian aid' – which in practice means anything from drones to generators to bulletproof vests – because so little is provided by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Alexander Zaborovsky writes:
3/ "I’m talking about Telegram blocks and specifically what has been drastically affected by them.
I’m referring to volunteer organisations and groups. 99% of them rely on Telegram for communication, including with combat units.
I’m referring to volunteer organisations and groups. 99% of them rely on Telegram for communication, including with combat units.
4/ "For over four years, there have been zero problems. A chain was established, stretching from a specific retiree, entrepreneur, or schoolteacher all the way to a unit on the front lines and even to a specific soldier (targeted packages).
5/ "Issues were resolved by announcing a collection drive in the groups, specifying what was needed and what required cash. Then donations were collected to a specific card, and the rest was delivered to specific addresses at specific times.
6/ "We clarified orders with the fighters, as well as photo and video specifications. For example: we coordinated details regarding electronic warfare (EW) for new frequencies (Myrnohrad, Kramatorsk—the Sloviansk direction), including spare parts for ATVs (can’t be resolved…
7/ …without video). The guys have Telegram working—provided they have internet, of course—but Max is still banned for them. (Although some battalions in Zaporizhzhia have made it mandatory.)
Now—how do we announce a rally in that same group, which averages 300–500 people?
Now—how do we announce a rally in that same group, which averages 300–500 people?
8/ "Call everyone? That’s not realistic. Switch to MAX? But how do we get everyone over there when most of them are opposed to it? Set up a VPN... the older generation is far removed from these “gadgets”? There are guys who help, but still, they can’t be seen using a VPN.
9/ "As of today, VPNs are working, but they promise to shut down this route starting on the 15th [of April].
In short, the humanitarians have been dealt a serious blow.
In short, the humanitarians have been dealt a serious blow.
10/ "Bitch, enrollment has already been dropping for five years!!! I’m 100% sure this is a deliberate sabotage and betrayal, you bastards.
11/ "The excuse from the top is that they don’t know that Telegram is the only channel of communication with the ‘mainland’ [Russia]—that’s for the mentally retarded with half a brain, just like the claim that saboteurs use it and drones fly with it; the fighters don’t give…
12/ …a fuck about it. (See a speech on 8 March by a lieutenant-colonel’s communications officer, who most likely never got within 50 km of the front line).
All this is being done deliberately by specific monsters with names and surnames, spitting on the law from on high...
All this is being done deliberately by specific monsters with names and surnames, spitting on the law from on high...
13/ "I’m putting it very mildly, though apart from swearing and hatred for these ghouls at the top, there’s nothing left. And things aren’t getting any easier at the front. Since 8 March 2022, we’ve been preparing for our 46th mission.
14/ "Mariupol, Vuhledar, Mariinka, Avdiivka, Lysychansk, Bakhmut, Toretsk – these are all the places where we’ve been helping out on the ground.
And during that time there were no problems, even when police and military police checkpoints were set up.
And during that time there were no problems, even when police and military police checkpoints were set up.
15/ "And most likely something is brewing over there☝️, if they’ve taken such steps, especially given the less-than-ideal situation at the front and, indeed, at home.
How many billions have they allocated? 50, 80, 88???
That’s how things stand today."
How many billions have they allocated? 50, 80, 88???
That’s how things stand today."
16/ 'It's Time To Go Home' responds sarcastically:
"Many people can't access Telegram. This has led to a drop in views. Not everyone, especially the older generation, can use a proxy or VPN. All this has hurt war chests."
"Many people can't access Telegram. This has led to a drop in views. Not everyone, especially the older generation, can use a proxy or VPN. All this has hurt war chests."
17/ "Roskomnadzor [the Russian telecoms regulator] says, "Thank you!"; the Ukrainians and liberals are happy."
18/ 'The Ghost of Novorossiya' laments:
"The People: To win the war we need to mobilise all forces and resources.
The State: [We're] immobilising communications and control." /end
"The People: To win the war we need to mobilise all forces and resources.
The State: [We're] immobilising communications and control." /end
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
