United Russia lawmaker’s Telegram channel posts about a front-line ‘deadlock’ and coming ‘large-scale mobilization.’ He says ‘enemies’ stole his channel.

A post reflecting on a “positional deadlock” and Ukraine’s technological edge on the battlefield appeared the evening of June 1 on the Telegram channel of Andrei Gurulev, a State Duma deputy from United Russia. The post also addressed a fuel crisis in occupied Crimea caused by Ukrainian drone strikes.

Among other things, the post stated that the advance of Russian forces “is measured in meters and tree lines” and announced “large-scale mobilization” in the fall of 2026, claiming that “a fundamental decision on this matter has already been made.” It closed with a call to “make decisions and carry them out without fail.”

Shortly after the post appeared, Gurulev announced in the Max messenger that his Telegram channel had been “stolen” and that “texts from it are being spread by enemies.” The post has not yet been deleted from Telegram.

The Russian news outlet RTVI reports that Gurulev’s Telegram channel was hacked in late May. Fraudsters sent private messages in the deputy’s name demanding urgent cryptocurrency transfers. A post soliciting emergency cryptocurrency fundraising for drones for the Airborne Forces was also published in the channel before being deleted.

Gurulev’s aide told the outlet Podyom that the deputy’s account was hacked in mid-May and that access has still not been restored.

Andrei Gurulev is known for his hardline rhetoric. Speaking about critics of the Russian authorities, he has suggested “eradicating the rot” that distrusts Putin. He has specifically named writer Boris Akunin among those who “should be eliminated,” describing him as an “enemy” who “wants his country to lose.” In January, the lawmaker also proposed striking U.S. ships in response to the seizure of a tanker.