During the Yakutian evening:

Getting a Glimpse of the Digital Shift in Russia while Yakutia Sleeps

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is busy working on services that will eventually be incorporated into the country's national messenger. Minister Maksut Shadaev revealed this during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Shadaev pointed out countries like South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and China that already have national messengers. Notably, Russian company VK recently launched a Russian messenger called MAX, matching foreign competitors in fundamental functionality.

MAX can be used to sign various documents, such as consent for personal data processing, apartment rental agreements, and car purchase contracts.

By the end of 2025, bomb shelter addresses across all Russian regions may be shared on the Gosuslugi portal, according to Sergei Starovoytov, Deputy Director of the Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. This initiative was discussed at the Public Chamber. Starovoytov explained that citizens will be able to access their personal account on Gosuslugi, click on a special tab, and learn about their assigned shelter and emergency evacuation points.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Pope Francis. This was the first call with the new pontiff. Putin expressed concern over the escalation of conflict by the Kyiv regime, which is reportedly carrying out sabotage against civilian infrastructure on Russian territory. He emphasized that the recent strike by the Ukrainian side on residents is considered terrorism under international law.

The President informed the Pope about the agreements reached in Istanbul on the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of the deceased with Ukraine. Putin also expressed his gratitude for the Pope's willingness to contribute to achieving peace in Ukraine. Both sides agreed to continue contacts.

Russia's Rosselkhoznadzor has spotted multiple recurring cases of non-compliance in meat products imported from Latin American countries. Contaminants such as ivermectin, salmonella, and listeria have been discovered in these products. In response, Rosselkhoznadzor has imposed restrictions on specific production facilities in these countries that have violated norms.

Bulgaria intends to complete the transition to the European currency by January 1, 2026. The process will commence after the approval of this decision by several European institutions in July. After the formal approval of Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone, prices of goods in the country will be shown in both Bulgarian levs and European currency. The government has established a special mechanism for coordinating and monitoring the introduction of the euro.

The Russian Ministry of Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) does not endorse the proposal to let students who violated exam rules during the Unified State Exam (EGE) re-take the exam in the same year. This option is currently available only for Russian and mathematics, and for other subjects, it will be possible only in the following year. Earlier, State Duma deputy Vladimir Košelev (LDPR) suggested allowing students who were removed from the exam for breaking rules to re-take it in the same year.

Rosobrnadzor argues that expelling students from the EGE for breaking established rules is a practical measure to ensure the objectivity of exam procedures and results, as well as to create fair conditions for all graduates during university admissions.

Expanding Horizons of Russia's Digital Landscape

Here's a brief overview of the current progress and major features of Russia's forthcoming national messenger:

Current scenario

Legal Groundwork: The Russian State Duma has passed a law regulating national messengers, effective from September 1, 2025. The platform is in development, with a projected launch in summer 2025[1][4][2].
Platform Creation: The national messenger, known as Max in some reports, is being designed as an all-in-one platform to replace foreign apps like WhatsApp, used by nearly 100 million Russians[3][5].
Technical Capabilities: The platform will employ an open architecture, enabling integration with third-party services, such as health care, rentals, food delivery, etc. Registration will use phone number verification, with an option to link to the Gosuslugi (government services) portal for additional features[4][5].

Intended Functions

Communication: The primary focus remains messaging, comparable to global counterparts, but with enhanced security and domestic control[2][5].
Government Interaction: Users can engage with government institutions, access public services, and interact with government officials directly through the platform[4][5].
Digital Identity and Documents: The messenger will allow users to keep digital records, place digital signatures, and verify their identity electronically[4][5].
Third-Party Connections: Hospitals, rental services, food delivery, and other businesses can connect their services to the platform, creating a service ecosystem similar to China’s WeChat[4][5].
Political and Regulatory Supervision: The new platform is intended to bring messaging and digital services under the Kremlin's oversight to reduced dependence on foreign companies and enhanced state control over digital communication[3][5].

Summary Table

| Feature | Status (2025) | Uses ||--------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------|| Messaging | Core Functionality | Personal, business, group chats || Government Services | Development | Access to public services, payments || Digital Identity | Planned/In Development | Document storage, signatures, ID || Third-party Integrations | Open Architecture Planned | Healthcare, rentals, delivery, etc. || Security & Control | Domestic, state-controlled | Surveillance, data control |

Political and Economic Context

The push for a national messenger is part of broader efforts to create a domestic digital ecosystem, reducing dependency on foreign technology and increasing state oversight over online communication. The new platform is seen as a direct response to the dominance of foreign messaging apps and is modeled after China’s WeChat, aiming to be a one-stop digital solution for Russian citizens[3][5][4].

The ongoing policy and legislation concerning national messengers in Russia, as covered by the general news, includes proposed functions for learning and self-development, showing a commitment to education-and-self-development within the digital landscape.
The advent of online-education platforms integrated with Russia's forthcoming national messenger is expected to revolutionize distance learning, facilitating communication and interaction between students, educators, and educational institutions.
The introduction of digital identity management and documents through the national messenger raises concerns about crime-and-justice, including potential issues related to digital fraud, identity theft, and online harassment.
The replacement of popular foreign messaging apps with a state-controlled national messenger might have unintended consequences in the domain of accidents, as users may encounter difficulties in communicating during emergencies or accidents that require quick coordination and assistance.