Russia’s pursuit of a state-backed messaging platform draws heavily from China’s WeChat model, as the Kremlin seeks to replicate the super-app’s extraordinary success in centralizing digital communications under government influence. The legislation introduced in late May 2025, endorsed by President Putin, would create a messaging platform with unprecedented integration into government systems, allowing it to function as digital identification and replace physical documents.
WeChat’s dominance in China provides the blueprint Russia aims to follow. With 1.38 billion monthly active users as of September 2024, WeChat processes 45 billion messages and 410 million voice and video calls daily. Chinese users spend approximately 79 minutes and 42 seconds daily on the platform, with 21% checking the app over 50 times per day. This level of engagement demonstrates the super-app’s central role in Chinese digital life. WeChat stands as the number one messaging app in China, reinforcing its position as the model Russia seeks to emulate.
The strategic motivations behind Russia’s initiative extend beyond simple communication. WeChat’s evolution into fundamental services, including medical appointments at almost 40% of Chinese hospitals and reducing wait times by 43.6 minutes on average, illustrates the thorough control such platforms can achieve.
Russia’s new messenger would not replace Gosuslugi but serve as an alternative pathway for government services, potentially managed by private commercial companies rather than direct state control.
Russia’s complex relationship with foreign messaging platforms highlights the strategic necessity of domestic alternatives. After briefly blocking WeChat in May 2017 for regulatory non-compliance, and then banning government officials from using foreign messaging apps in March 2023, Russia has demonstrated increasing control over digital communications.
With nearly eight out of ten Russians using social media daily and Telegram maintaining significant reach across demographic groups, the competition for digital dominance remains fierce. VK has emerged as the main contender for developing this government super-app.
The proposed legislation represents Russia’s broader strategy to emulate WeChat’s super-app model as it maintains sovereignty over digital infrastructure. By creating a platform that combines messaging, identification, and government services, Russia seeks to establish extensive digital control similar to China’s successful integration of communication technology with state oversight, fundamentally reshaping how citizens interact with both technology and government.
