The VK company has confirmed the shutdown of Mail.ru Agent, a messaging tool that once stood at the heart of online life for many Russians at the turn of the century. The official project site communicated this decision, signaling a meaningful shift in how users stay connected across devices and platforms.
Mail.ru Agent first appeared in 2003 and rapidly built a large user base. In its early chapters, the platform delivered access to news, weather updates, and a straightforward search bar. Over time, an alert about new email arrivals evolved into a more capable feature set, eventually becoming a full-fledged messenger with real-time chat, file sharing, presence indicators, and simple collaboration options. It became a familiar companion for many generations, valued for its ease of use and dependable performance. (citation: VK press release)
During its tenure, Mail.ru Agent grew into one of Russia’s key channels for communication and information sharing. By 2008, it extended its ecosystem by integrating with My World, the social network, and added support for the ICQ protocol, enabling sign-ins with user numbers. This interoperability helped maintain relevance in a crowded space, connecting Mail.ru Agent to a wider network of messaging services and reinforcing its role as a versatile communication hub. (citation: VK press release)
With the decision to discontinue Mail.ru Agent, VK advised users to back up essential files and conversations on their own devices to minimize data loss. In its place, VK recommended adopting VK Messenger for personal chats and VK WorkSpace for business-related tasks, guiding users toward a modern suite of communication and collaboration tools within VK’s expanding ecosystem. This transition reflects a broader move toward centralized, cross‑platform communication while acknowledging the value that Mail.ru Agent once offered. (citation: VK press release)
Separately, security researchers observed a rise in attempts to compromise WhatsApp profiles among Russian users in the weeks ahead of the new school year. This context highlights the importance of selecting secure, trusted messaging channels and keeping devices updated with the latest protections. It also underscores the broader shift in how people stay connected in a fast-changing digital landscape, where legacy tools give way to newer, more integrated solutions. (citation: independent security research)