The war in Ukraine came with one unexpected problem: the phenomenal use of Telegram mini-apps, most of which promise some monetary gains through casino-like games. These applications, among them such popular names as Major and Hamster Kombat, won the hearts of millions of Ukrainians because of their fast entertainment and promises of financial gains. However, according to critics, these mini-apps—those that are often connected with crypto scams—threaten to undermine Ukraine’s social focus.
A Platform Consuming Critical Time
Telegram has become an essential communication tool in Ukraine, with an estimated 60% of the population relying on the platform for news, updates, and social connection amid the war. Yet, this dependence has made Ukrainians particularly susceptible to the distractions and false promises presented by Telegram’s unregulated mini-app ecosystem. With millions of users engaging with these apps daily, valuable time and attention are being diverted from critical issues—an outcome that Russia may be exploiting.
Crypto Scams and Digital Distraction
These mini-apps reportedly run by crypto scammers are said to use the general lack of regulation and encryption on Telegram. The apps create this facade of stability and normalcy, promising quick financial rewards for war-affected Ukrainians, which in reality serves to divert one’s attention from the stark realities of war, thereby reducing productivity and lowering national morale.
It could be a new, covert operation in the information war led by Russia. If Telegram is flooded with scams and time-consuming applications, this may effectively unbalance the social resilience
The mere possibility of such deliberate exploitation puts forward the urgent need to investigate the role of Telegram for these schemes.
Telegram’s Accountability
But the controversial position of Telegram—a tool of free communication and at the same time an epicenter of uncontrolled activities—has drawn increasing criticism. The very encrypted overtones, so valued for confidentiality, allowed scams and harmful distractions to flourish across the platform. Under French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration, concerns have arisen about the unregulated spread of mini-apps; the recent arrest of the founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, made debates hot again over accountability for the site. Some believe that the founder’s arrest may have something to do with the role of Telegram in scams or the potential to destabilize regions through digital distractions. Whatever the reason, it underlines the need for increased regulation of platforms that have widespread influence.
Trying to Undermine Ukraine War Effort
The rise of Telegram mini-apps is a critical issue in Ukraine’s war effort. At a time when national unity and focus are vital, these apps will suck away attention with trivial distractions. The promise of fast money on dubious platforms sullies public morale and further fragments a population under tremendous pressure.
A Call for Action
These make regulating this increasingly significant problem become quite a pressing need supported by both regulators and members of parliament. This was partly why there was broad
support to ban or vigorously regulate the mini-app Telegram across vulnerable groups as a preemptive way to prevent large levels of nation state destabilization in crisis situations. Concomitant efforts to expose crypto scams, alongside a rigorous scrutiny of the overall dealings of the platform, should be prioritized. What matters for Ukraine is to ensure that such platforms, like Telegram, serve as a tool of resilience and not a
source of distraction. Policymakers need to consider the broader consequences of digital platforms in wartime and incentivize solutions that minimize their harm potential.
Shaping a Responsible Digital Landscape
The more powerful Telegram grows globally, the more its leadership and regulators will need to consider both the potential good and bad of the platform. If Telegram were to take strong steps to rein in its ecosystem of mini-apps, it would become twice as valuable as a communicative tool and would shield users from exploitation.
For Ukraine and other nations facing crises, addressing these challenges is not just a matter of platform accountability—it is a step toward preserving societal focus, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity.