The reason we (wife and I) noticed that there is a new application form is because my MIL is gathering up her papers to apply for a tourist visa.
Even though the form is "Electronic", as far as I can tell the data isn't electronically sent to US State Dept. It is basically the same as the fillable .pdf form they had before, except that it automatically adds a barcode (Page1) and a scanable version barcode (Page 2) to it automatically. The form still needs to be sent in the current manner, via Pony Express currier.
(BTW, Pony Express doesn't serve Tver directly. They will need to go to Moscow, and pay 700 pY for them to deliver it to the Embassy. But they said they give a receipt with the interview date when you give them your application).
Unless your FIL/MIL plan on getting down to the embassy anytime soon, you would probably be best served filling out the application(s?) yourself, and send the completed forms to them.
Hope that helps...