Probably because Telegram is a state-level honeypot. The chances a place like Russia would have its population (and lots of people in what they consider their "ex-colonies") communicate over a platform that they can't intercept and monitor are zero. Add a track record of technical incompetence and an absurd backstory of the founder that escapes from state control to .. Cyprus of all places.

It has been wild to see Russians soldiers request air/artillery support over Telegram.

Not very bright.

Was wondering about those friendly fire incidents that keeps cropping up from Russian units - one unit got arty on them by the Ukrainians and then they requested counter-fire but their own side dropped it on them instead.

Or a Ukrainian unit could get access to a Russian telegram account and then send malicious requests.

At least they would use code words but with the NSA supplying intelligence and most new units deployed are full of mobiks , have little hope for them.

9r they could get access to the requesting account and send artillery.