The Kremlin is preparing to launch an online messenger as part of its ongoing efforts to censor Russian citizens and isolate them from the global internet, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in a June 30 research report. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on June 24 approving the creation of a “national messenger” application that will allow Russian citizens to virtually access government services and documents. The new app is linked to the Kremlin-controlled social