The block removes a primary communications channel for WhatsApp’s 100M+ users in Russia, forcing consumers and businesses to shift to Telegram, SMS, or the state-backed Max app. Companies relying on WhatsApp for customer support, sales, or internal coordination in Russia will need to re-route workflows and update contact paths immediately to avoid service disruption. The additional throttling of Telegram also reduces redundancy for on-the-ground communications, including for pro-war channels that report operational impacts in Ukraine-related use cases.