XMPP/Jabber and Matrix both support full end-to-end encryption. Matrix has more cool modern features and slicker UI but has a brutally complex architecture if you want to self-host it. Matrix.org is available though, but since it’s pretty centralized it’s likely to get blocked. XMPP is simple and self-hostable. Both protocols are pretty niche, and except for matrix.org most of the providers that use the protocols are extremely niche. I would say XMPP is on the whole significantly more niche, though. My condolences on your family being in Russia. The warmongering fascists must be stopped. Good luck, hopefully everyone can stay safe.
XMPP/Jabber and Matrix both support full end-to-end encryption. Matrix has more cool modern features and slicker UI but has a brutally complex architecture if you want to self-host it. Matrix.org is available though, but since it’s pretty centralized it’s likely to get blocked. XMPP is simple and self-hostable. Both protocols are pretty niche, and except for matrix.org most of the providers that use the protocols are extremely niche. I would say XMPP is on the whole significantly more niche, though. My condolences on your family being in Russia. The warmongering fascists must be stopped. Good luck, hopefully everyone can stay safe.