The migration of news to Telegram channels in the Ukraine – Russia conflict

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 precipitated a significant shift in news consumption patterns, with the messaging application Telegram emerging as a dominant platform for information dissemination. This paper synthesizes existing research to analyze the factors driving this migration, situating Telegram's rise within the theoretical frameworks of networked gatekeeping and the hybrid media system. We examine how Telegram's specific affordances – notably its speed, broadcast capabilities, minimal content moderation, and perceived security –catered to the urgent informational needs of audiences and communicators during the initial phase of the conflict. The analysis highlights the platform's role in amplifying diverse voices, including citizen journalists and official sources, while also facilitating the rapid spread of unverified information (Herasimenka et al., 2022). Furthermore, we explore the complex interplay between Telegram and traditional media, discussing the implications for journalistic practices, credibility, and the evolving nature of conflict reporting in the digital age based on early observations and established theories. The paper identifies patterns in platform adoption during crises and contradictions regarding trust and verification.