Silicon Curtain

2026-03-25 | UPDATES #154 | The economy is where the detail gets most technically damning. And here, Naki provides something Zygar's op-ed gestures at but doesn't fully document: the forensic evidence from inside the Russian financial system itself. In February 2026, the Centre for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting — known by its Russian acronym CMAKP — formally registered what it called a latent banking crisis. This is not an opposition think-tank. As Naki stresses: "This is an organisation maximally close to the authorities. The brother of Defence Minister Belousov works there. It publishes real economic data." And by its own formal criteria, the share of problem assets in the Russian banking system exceeded 10 percent. A crisis — described as "latent" because the state is actively concealing it. Banks are restructuring hopeless loans rather than writing them off. State banks are not being allowed to go bankrupt. The statistics are being massaged.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Mikhail Zygar / New York Times — "For Putin, the War in Iran Changed Everything" (March 25, 2026)Mikhail Zygar / The Last Pioneer (Substack) — "When the Internet Disappears" (March 19, 2026)Mykhailo Naki — "PUTIN IS LOSING — AND HE KNOWS IT. The Kremlin for the First Time Thought About an Exit from the War" (YouTube, March 25, 2026)Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) — "Iran War Won't Save Putin's Crumbling Economy" (March 3, 2026)Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) — "From Tehran to Donbas: What the Iran War Means for Russia and Ukraine" (March 2026)Mikhail Khodorkovsky / Ukraine Today — "The Iran War Is Good for Putin — But Not Good Enough" (March 20, 2026)Russia Matters (Harvard Kennedy School) — "Russia Analytical Report, March 9–16, 2026"Fortune — "Putin is the real winner in Trump's Iran war as it puts Russian oil back on the map" (March 23, 2026)----------

2026-03-25 | UPDATES #153 | How Trump's Iran War Gave Putin a Reprieve He Doesn't Deserve. Based on Mikhail Zygar's New York Times Op-Ed (March 25, 2026) and Mykhailo Naki's Video Analysis. Plastering over the cracks. It is the end of January 2026. Russia is selling oil to India at twenty-two dollars a barrel. Twenty-two dollars. About a third of the market price. The country that funds its wars with oil money is offloading its most valuable export for the price of scrap metal — because nobody else will take it.At the same moment, inside the Kremlin, something unprecedented is stirring. After four years of dismissing every economic warning, every bankruptcy protection, every desperate memo from the Finance Ministry — Vladimir Putin is paying attention. According to those close to him, he is allegedly beginning to think, seriously and concretely, about ending the war. Not through the theatre of negotiations that has been running on a loop since early 2025, and without serious intent behind them. A real exit. With real signals. Including two moves that, if taken, would have sent shockwaves through Moscow's political system.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Mikhail Zygar / New York Times — "For Putin, the War in Iran Changed Everything" (March 25, 2026)Mikhail Zygar / The Last Pioneer (Substack) — "When the Internet Disappears" (March 19, 2026)Mykhailo Naki — "PUTIN IS LOSING — AND HE KNOWS IT. The Kremlin for the First Time Thought About an Exit from the War" (YouTube, March 25, 2026)Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) — "Iran War Won't Save Putin's Crumbling Economy" (March 3, 2026)Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) — "From Tehran to Donbas: What the Iran War Means for Russia and Ukraine" (March 2026)Mikhail Khodorkovsky / Ukraine Today — "The Iran War Is Good for Putin — But Not Good Enough" (March 20, 2026)Russia Matters (Harvard Kennedy School) — "Russia Analytical Report, March 9–16, 2026"Fortune — "Putin is the real winner in Trump's Iran war as it puts Russian oil back on the map" (March 23, 2026)----------

Silicon Bites Ep307 | 2026-03-25 | Russia's record attack on Ukraine — and the miracle defence that's been overlooked.Nine hundred and forty-eight drones. In twenty-four hours. Between the evening of March 23rd and the evening of March 24th, Russia launched the largest aerial assault of the entire war against Ukraine — nearly a thousand drones and missiles fired at cities, at homes, at hospitals, at churches, at children. The Institute for the Study of War confirmed it: the largest Russian strike series since February 2022. The previous record? Eight hundred and ten launches, set back in September 2025.Ukraine shot down nine hundred and six of them. That is not just a record. That is a revolution in air defence. And almost nobody in the West is paying attention. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Interfax-Ukraine — "Russia launches record 948 drones at Ukraine in 24 hours, 906 downed or damaged – Air Force," March 24, 2026.Kyiv Independent — "Russian drones strike Lviv in daytime attack, casualties reported," March 24, 2026.NBC News — "Russian drones attack downtown Lviv in broad daylight," March 24, 2026.Euronews — "Almost 1,000 drones within 24 hours: Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine," March 24, 2026.Al Jazeera — "Russia fires 948 drones at Ukraine as new offensive begins," March 24, 2026.PBS News — "Russia fires 400 drones at Ukraine, signaling its spring offensive has started," March 24, 2026.The Art Newspaper — "Unesco-protected monastery in Lviv damaged by Russian drone strike," March 25, 2026.Atlantic Council / UkraineAlert — Peter Dickinson, "Russia bombs UNESCO site as Putin escalates attacks on Ukrainian civilians," March 24, 2026.United24 Media — "Russia Launches 982 Drones and Missiles in Record 24-Hour Attack on Ukraine," March 25, 2026.United24 Media — "UNESCO Speaks Out After Russian Drone Strike Hits Lviv World Heritage Site," March 25, 2026.----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Silicon Bites Ep306 | 2026-03-24 | Russia has become a Digital GULAG, as Moscow and St Petersburg go offline. People are reverting to papers, paper maps and cash. Privileged urban Russians are losing their minds, as finally some of them wake up to the idea that the government does not exist to serve their interests, and maintain their privileges, but does not in fact give a damn about their comfort. Imagine living in one of the most digitised capital cities on the planet – because that is what Moscow is. A city where you pay for your coffee by tapping your phone, pay for everything that is electronically. Where you hail your taxi through an app, navigate by GPS, send money to a friend in seconds. A city that for years was held up — smugly, loudly, by its defenders — as proof that Russia was modern, thriving, untouched by war, despite an authoritarian government. This was a gilded cage, their argued, so why not just live life and enjoy it?!----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:The Moscow Times — "In Moscow, a Week of Mobile Internet Shutdowns Makes Life a Real Pain," March 13, 2026.The Moscow Times — "Widespread Mobile Internet Outages Are Lawful and Needed for Security, Kremlin Says," March 10, 2026.The Moscow Times — "Mobile Internet Outages Hit St. Petersburg After Days of Disruptions in Moscow," March 9, 2026.NBC News — "Mobile internet blackouts sweep Moscow, leaving residents feeling 'powerless'," March 17, 2026.CNN — "Internet outages disrupt daily life in Russia, fueling fears of a digital crackdown," March 21, 2026.Meduza — "The Kremlin says it's cutting off mobile Internet access for security reasons. Muscovites say they're resigning themselves to regular blackouts," March 10, 2026.Reuters (via U.S. News) — "Kremlin Says Moscow Mobile Internet Outages Are Done for Sake of Security," March 10, 2026.----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-03-24 | UPDATES #152 | The reaction was instantaneous — and chaotic. Confused and fevered. On the pro-Kremlin side, there was something close to panic. Several people immediately speculated that Remeslo's account had been hacked. He shot that down by posting video messages insisting the words were his and his alone. He looked composed. He did not appear to be under duress. The Breakfast Show interview with Plyushchev put paid to that line of speculation. Apti Alaudinov — the commander of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Akhmat special forces — publicly expressed alarm. He described Remeslo as someone who had always seemed completely level-headed and raised the possibility that he'd been kidnapped or was being held against his will (The Moscow Times, March 18, 2026).----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: The Moscow Times — "A Pro-Kremlin Blogger Has Denounced Putin – And Nobody Knows Why," March 18, 2026.NBC News — "A Kremlin loyalist suddenly turned against Putin. A day later, he was in a psychiatric hospital," March 20, 2026.Meduza — "A longtime pro-Putin blogger published a tirade against the Russian president. Now he's in a psychiatric hospital," March 20, 2026.RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) — "A Kremlin Cheerleader Rips Into Putin. A Day Later, He's In A Psychiatric Hospital," March 19, 2026.The Guardian — "Pro-Kremlin loyalist calls on Putin to go in abrupt volte-face," March 19, 2026.GB News — "'Vladimir Putin must go on trial — his war is going nowhere' blasts Kremlin loyalist," March 19, 2026.Bloomberg — "Kremlin Loyalist Turns on Putin as Russians Start to Tire of War," March 19, 2026.Kyiv Independent — "A pro-Kremlin blogger lashed out at Putin; he ended up in a psychiatric ward," March 19, 2026.----------

Adam Dunigan is a 2026 Democratic congressional candidate in Northern Virginia / Virginia's 8th District. He is a former Marine combat veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, later earned a bachelor's degree in social psychology and a master's in international relations from Harvard, moved to Virginia in 2014 for national-security work, and eventually served as a CIA case officer. He resigned from the CIA to run for Congress because he believed U.S. democracy was “backsliding” under Trump. ----------LINKS:https://www.adam4congress.com/https://x.com/adamduniganhttps://ballotpedia.org/Adam_Duniganhttps://www.instagram.com/adamduniganva8/https://secure.actblue.com/donate/adam-dunigan-1----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:----------CHAPTERS:----------THE 'FAITH UNDER SIEGE' TEAM ARE KIND SUPPORTERS OF SILICON CURTAIN: WEBSITE: https://www.faithundersiege.com/TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGtdC-aO3kFILM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4gJWdsyAACHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@UCx-2kTPvk4Z505gS2ZEch-A REVIEW: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35428172/----------

2026-03-23 | UPDATES #151 | Ilya Remeslo and the return of the Psikhushka – Political madhouse and state terror in Russia as a Kremlin attack dog turns to bite the hand that previously fed it. On Tuesday night, March 17th, 2026, a man who had spent a decade doing the Kremlin's dirtiest work — hounding dissidents, filing legal complaints against journalists, and personally helping to put Alexei Navalny behind bars — sat down in his flat in St Petersburg and did something nobody saw coming. He turned on Vladimir Putin. And within forty-eight hours, he was inside a psychiatric hospital.This is the story of Ilya Remeslo. And if you think you've heard everything about how the Putin regime eats its own — you haven't heard this. We're only just getting started. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: The Moscow Times — "A Pro-Kremlin Blogger Has Denounced Putin – And Nobody Knows Why," March 18, 2026.NBC News — "A Kremlin loyalist suddenly turned against Putin. A day later, he was in a psychiatric hospital," March 20, 2026.Meduza — "A longtime pro-Putin blogger published a tirade against the Russian president. Now he's in a psychiatric hospital," March 20, 2026.RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) — "A Kremlin Cheerleader Rips Into Putin. A Day Later, He's In A Psychiatric Hospital," March 19, 2026.The Guardian — "Pro-Kremlin loyalist calls on Putin to go in abrupt volte-face," March 19, 2026.GB News — "'Vladimir Putin must go on trial — his war is going nowhere' blasts Kremlin loyalist," March 19, 2026.Bloomberg — "Kremlin Loyalist Turns on Putin as Russians Start to Tire of War," March 19, 2026.Kyiv Independent — "A pro-Kremlin blogger lashed out at Putin; he ended up in a psychiatric ward," March 19, 2026.----------

Silicon Bites Ep305 | 2026-03-24 | What is Russia testing? A drone crashes on a Lithuanian lake. A village called Lavisas. Varėna district, southern Lithuania. It's 3:04 in the morning, local time. The forest is dark. The night is cold and the lake is frozen. And then — an eerie buzzing that lasts forty seconds. Followed by a blast and by burning fragments spinning up into the night sky and raining down onto the ice. Security camera footage captured the entire sequence. Lithuanian broadcaster LRT published it this morning. Forty seconds of engine noise, then a detonation, then fire falling from the sky onto a NATO member's territory — twenty kilometres from the border with Belarus. Accident or test? Trial run for a major provocation? Within hours of that blast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in a secure briefing with his chief of military intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko. And Zelenskyy emerged with a stunning announcement that lands like a political detonation. Russia, Ukraine's intelligence services have confirmed, is planning to deploy four new long-range drone control stations on Belarusian territory. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters / US News & World Report — "Lithuania Says a Suspected Drone Enters Its Airspace, Crashes Into Lake Near Belarus" (March 23, 2026)Aerotime — "Suspected cross-border drone explodes in southern Lithuania" (March 23, 2026)Global Banking and Finance — "Lithuania Reports Suspected Drone Crash Near Belarus Border" (March 23, 2026)RBC-Ukraine — "Drone crashes in Lithuania on March 23 near border with Belarus" (March 23, 2026)UA.NEWS — "Lithuania is convening a national security commission following the crash of a drone near the border with Belarus" (March 23, 2026)Reform.news — "Unknown Object Falls And Explodes Near Belarusian Border In Lithuania" (March 23, 2026)Charter'97 — "At Night, An Explosion Occurred In Lithuania Near The Border With Belarus" (March 23, 2026)Pravda EN — "Lithuanian Armed Forces claim drone fell in Varensky district" (March 23, 2026)----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Ken Harbaugh is a former U.S. Navy pilot and mission commander who served from 1996 to 2005 as an EP-3 signals-intelligence aviator, flying missions focused on adversaries including Russia, North Korea, and China. After leaving the Navy, he earned a JD (Juris Doctor) from Yale Law School, taught at The Citadel and as a guest fellow at Yale, co-founded The Mission Continues and Got Your 6, later held senior leadership roles at Team Rubicon, and has since become a media and podcast figure through Burn the Boats, Warriors in Their Own Words, and The Ken Harbaugh Show. He is a senior correspondent for MeidasTouch.----------SEE DRONE HUNTERS OF KHERSON:https://thekenharbaughshow.substack.com/LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@UCon-4xKJzqoD1JOitZgT5cQ https://x.com/Team_Harbaughhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Harbaughhttps://www.theatlantic.com/author/ken-harbaugh/https://www.facebook.com/TeamHarbaugh/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-harbaugh-201a7b8/----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:Ken Harbaugh on Ukraine's Drone Hunters, Western Blind Spots, and the Coming Age of Asymmetric WarFormer US Navy EP-3 signals intelligence aviator Ken Harbaugh discusses his reporting on Ukraine's “drone hunters” in Kherson, who shoot down hard-to-detect fiber-optic FPV drones used by Russia in a civilian terror campaign and described as a “human safari,” alongside other indiscriminate tactics like butterfly mines. He argues the US and allies are failing to learn battlefield lessons from Ukraine about scalable drone defense, cost asymmetry, and homeland vulnerability to container-launched drone attacks and cyber disruption, while criticizing leadership deficits, entrenched defense procurement incentives, and what he describes as a White House unwilling to hear hard truths about scenarios like Strait of Hormuz closure. The conversation contrasts Russia's brutality with Ukrainian innovation, including gamified targeting incentives, and warns that the West may only adapt after a major attack. ----------CHAPTERS:00:58 Drone Hunters of Kherson04:03 Human Safari Terror06:31 Hormuz Unpreparedness08:49 Europe Leadership Gap11:50 Lessons From Ukraine14:34 Homeland Drone Threat19:15 Hybrid War and Cyber22:30 Coal and Uranium Wildcard28:00 Allies Push Back32:35 Ukraine Innovation Edge37:30 Military Industrial Drag39:45 Wake Up Call Closing----------THE 'FAITH UNDER SIEGE' TEAM ARE KIND SUPPORTERS OF SILICON CURTAIN: WEBSITE: https://www.faithundersiege.com/TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGtdC-aO3kFILM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4gJWdsyAACHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@UCx-2kTPvk4Z505gS2ZEch-A REVIEW: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35428172/----------

2026-03-23 | UPDATES #150 | Ukraine burns Russia's Baltic oil lifeline. Trump made them do it? Outrageous accusation – how is this connected, you may ask? Lifting sanction on Russia oil at sea, lifting sanctions on third country purchases of Russian – oil by India for instance. Another unintended consequence of Trump's war on the Middle East – or entirely intended? That a point of contention. But what's beyond doubt, is that the combination of a spike in oil prices and suspension of sanctions are lifelines for Putin and present an existential threat for Ukraine. They had to act, fast – and acted in the clearest way possible – kinetic sanctions on oil. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters / Yahoo Finance — "Russia's Baltic ports halt oil and fuel exports after drone attacks, sources say" (March 23, 2026) Bloomberg — "Russia's Primorsk Oil Port Hit by Drones in Overnight Attack" (March 23, 2026)The Moscow Times — "Ukraine Strikes Primorsk Port in Northwestern Russia, Damaging Fuel Reservoirs" (March 23, 2026)Kyiv Post — "Ukraine Hits Giant Baltic Oil Terminal Linked to 'Shadow Fleet' as Drone Barrage Sweeps Russia" (March 23, 2026)RBC-Ukraine — "Drones attack one of Russia's largest oil terminals" (March 23, 2026)EADaily — "The Ukrainian Armed Forces hit the largest Russian oil port of Primorsk on the Baltic" (March 23, 2026)----------

​Roman Trokhymets is a Ukrainian soldier and media personality. In 2014, when pro-Russian separatists attacked Donbas, Trokhymets volunteered to fight in the Azov Regiment. Working as a real estate agent in 2022, he joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces after the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. LINKS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Trokhymetshttps://www.instagram.com/romantrokhymets/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@RomanTrokhymetshttps://www.tiktok.com/@romantrokhymets----------Be in the Army or for the Army! https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/be-in-the-army-or-for-the-armyRick the Ukrainian, Roman Trokhymets, Rick Rollers, and Ukrainian supporters around the world are proud to announce the launch of our new campaign to support the army. This time, we are strengthening the bond between frontline soldiers and volunteers by joining forces to support three combat units with urgently needed vehicles and tires.----------LINKS:YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ricktheukrainianRaising funds for Land Robots for the 3rd Brigade: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/25Q73j7f8xVideo about robots for the 3rd Brigade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATGA4a45mEEMy PayPal (fundraisers donations): rick.karl1842@gmail.comBuy Me a Coffee (or become a member): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricktheukr/membership----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

2026-03-20 | UPDATES #149 | Today, we were going to ask a basic question. Is Russia helping Iran? The answer is, of course, that they are, but Valdimir Putin seems to have admitted this, and sees it as another way to manipulate Trump, to gain advantage in his war against Ukraine. But the real question is how committed they are, and what is the extent of their support. And digging deeper, what is the impact of that support on helping the Iranian regime to survive, resist the U.S. onslaught – and of course, how far is Russian helping the Iranian regime to target American allies and assets in the region, and ultimately kill Americans. It is March 20th, 2026. American troops are fighting in the Middle East. American servicemembers are dying. And right now, one of America's chief nuclear-armed adversaries is feeding the enemy targeting intelligence to make sure more U.S. assets are erased, its regional allies are terrorised and more Americans die. That adversary is Russia. And the American president's response? He's handing Putin a multi-billion-dollar financial gift – lifting oil sanctions on Russia, and broader sanctions from Putin's puppet state, Belarus.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Wall Street Journal — "Russia Is Sharing Satellite Imagery and Drone Technology With Iran" (March 17, 2026) Times of Israel — "Russia sharing satellite imagery and drone technology with Iran – report" (March 18, 2026)Reuters / US News — "Russia Is Sharing Satellite Imagery and Drone Technology With Iran, WSJ Reports" (March 17, 2026)Reuters / US News — "Kremlin Says WSJ Report on Russia Sharing Drone Technology With Iran Is 'Fake News'" (March 18, 2026)Washington Post — "Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces" (March 6, 2026)Washington Post — "How Trump suspending sanctions on Russian oil helps Putin's war effort" (March 14, 2026)----------

Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia's war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@UCiVefOT4TGW3pOqW6AxmlBQ ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------Steven Moore is a political strategist, who spent seven years as a chief of staff and senior leadership aide in the United States Congress, developing relationships with senior policymakers across the United States and around the world. He worked on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives mostly as chief of staff for former Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Ill.), the former chief deputy GOP whip. In that role, Moore was one of the most influential staff members on the Republican side of the aisle. ----------FAITH UNDER SIEGE FILM: WEBSITE: https://www.faithundersiege.com/TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGtdC-aO3kFILM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4gJWdsyAACHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@UCx-2kTPvk4Z505gS2ZEch-A REVIEW: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35428172/----------THE TEAMColby Barrett, JD, PE - PRODUCER, EXEC. PRODUCERColby Barrett is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and former U.S. Marine Corps Captain who led infantry and scout/sniper platoons in the Pacific Rim and Middle East. Steven E. Moore - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERFormer chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives who has spent most of his time in Ukraine since day five of the war. He leads the Ukraine Freedom Project (UFP), which has delivered 250 tons of food, medical supplies, body armor, and other critical aid to the front.Anna Shvetsova - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERAnna Shvetsova is the COO of the Ukraine Freedom Project. Raised near the Russian border, she frequently visits the front lines and has engaged with over 100 Congressional offices as an expert on U.S. policy in Ukraine.----------LINKS:https://x.com/MooreUSAhttps://x.com/UKRAINEFREEDOM7https://www.ukrainer.net/ukraine-through-the-eyes-of-steven-moore/https://stevenmoore.substack.com/https://substack.com/@steveninkyiv----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------Steven Moore is a political strategist, who spent seven years as a chief of staff and senior leadership aide in the United States Congress, developing relationships with senior policymakers across the United States and around the world. He worked on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives mostly as chief of staff for former Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Ill.), the former chief deputy GOP whip. In that role, Moore was one of the most influential staff members on the Republican side of the aisle. ----------FAITH UNDER SIEGE FILM: WEBSITE: https://www.faithundersiege.com/TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGtdC-aO3kFILM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4gJWdsyAACHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@UCx-2kTPvk4Z505gS2ZEch-A REVIEW: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35428172/----------THE TEAMColby Barrett, JD, PE - PRODUCER, EXEC. PRODUCERColby Barrett is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and former U.S. Marine Corps Captain who led infantry and scout/sniper platoons in the Pacific Rim and Middle East. Steven E. Moore - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERFormer chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives who has spent most of his time in Ukraine since day five of the war. He leads the Ukraine Freedom Project (UFP), which has delivered 250 tons of food, medical supplies, body armor, and other critical aid to the front.Anna Shvetsova - EXECUTIVE PRODUCERAnna Shvetsova is the COO of the Ukraine Freedom Project. Raised near the Russian border, she frequently visits the front lines and has engaged with over 100 Congressional offices as an expert on U.S. policy in Ukraine.----------LINKS:https://x.com/MooreUSAhttps://x.com/UKRAINEFREEDOM7https://www.ukrainer.net/ukraine-through-the-eyes-of-steven-moore/https://stevenmoore.substack.com/https://substack.com/@steveninkyiv----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Welcome to our monthly conversation with Konstantin, who is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening Inside Russia. Konstantin Samoilov is a well-known YouTuber whose channel ‘Inside Russia' comments insightfully on Russia's decent into authoritarianism over the last few years. But now, like many others, he's outside Russia, with no idea of when he can return there. ----------LINKS: @INSIDERUSSIA https://www.patreon.com/insiderussiaINSIDE RUSSIA is a source of current news on Russia - Konstantin carefully selects 9 news stories that are important and really matter, with commentaries and analyses by Konstantin delivered daily to channel patrons at Patreon.comGet your access to daily news updates at patreon.com/INSIDERUSSIA----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION: Inside Russia: Internet Shutdowns, Elite Purges, and Putin's Regime in Panic (with Constantine)Jonathan hosts a bimonthly conversation with Konstantine of the YouTube channel “Inside Russia” about accelerating instability inside Russia, including rumors that Putin-regime architect Vladislav Surkov has fled ahead of a possible arrest and what his potential cooperation with Western services could mean. They discuss Russia's rich and powerful keeping families and assets in the West, the propagandist Solovyov “going rogue” as he criticizes military shortages and communications bans, and how a widening internet and messenger crackdown—especially severe in central Moscow—may relate to purges around Shoigu and fears of elite plotting. Constantine describes severe economic disruption from unreliable internet, business closures, layoffs, and unpaid salaries, likening it to a Titanic-style collapse. They also assess how higher oil prices may briefly ease pressure without saving the regime, and argue Russia is losing allies and geopolitical standing, citing Iran, Syria, and BRICS fading from propaganda.----------CHAPTERS:01:41 Surkov Rumors and Exile06:03 Londongrad and Elite Safe Havens11:04 Solovyov Goes Off Script12:59 Propagandists Smell Change16:35 Shoigu Purge and Internet Link18:34 Moscow Internet Blackout Mystery22:20 Frontline Fallout and Civilian Disruption25:09 Army Comms Breakdown26:03 Internet Shutdown Fallout26:37 Businesses Freeze Up27:53 Daily Life Disrupted28:47 Layoffs And Panic29:36 Titanic Collapse Analogy30:56 Wake Up Call And History32:40 Satire And Denial34:12 Oil Price Windfall41:38 Putin Abandons Allies----------

Silicon Bites Ep303 | 2026-03-16 | Moscow is getting a taste — a tiny taste — of what Ukrainians have lived with for years. May it continue and grow ever more inconvenient for Muscovites. For a second straight day, Russian officials were reporting drones headed for the Russian capital. On Saturday, March 14, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defences had downed 65 drones bound for Moscow over roughly 11 hours. Reuters reported that Russia's Defence Ministry claimed 280 drones were intercepted across central and western Russia during a 10-hour period, including 47 targeting Moscow. That already made it the biggest drone attack on the Moscow region this year by Russian official count.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters, March 14, 2026 — Russian air defences down 65 drones headed for Moscow, mayor says. AP, March 14, 2026 — Moscow struggles with cellphone internet outages. AP, March 14, 2026 — Russian strike on Kyiv region kills 4 people and wounds 15 as peace talks are stalled (includes Russia's claim of 87 drones overnight and flight restrictions near Moscow). Kyiv Independent, March 14, 2026 — Moscow attacked by over 60 drones in single day, mayor says. TASS, March 15, 2026 — Drone attack on Moscow becomes largest this year — TASS calculations. Reuters, May 16, 2023 — Kremlin reaction to CIA outreach; includes context that Russia raised the maximum penalty for treason to life.AP, 2024 — A Russian charged with sending video of military equipment to Ukraine gets 14 years in prison. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-03-16 | UPDATES #146 | Spectacular explosions in Russia – Ukraine has gone after something bigger than another refinery fire and more consequential than just another spectacular ammo dump explosion on Russian soil. Overnight on March 11–12, 2026, Ukrainian drones struck infrastructure at the Tikhoretsk oil pumping station in Krasnodar Krai — a hub that multiple outlets describe as one of the largest oil logistics nodes in southern Russia. Reuters, citing a source in Ukraine's SBU, says the strike hit the pumping station and triggered a large fire. Russian regional authorities also acknowledged the attack and said emergency crews were fighting a blaze. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, March 12, 2026 — Ukrainian drones hit oil hub in Russia's Krasnodar region. Kyiv Independent, March 12, 2026 — Major Russian oil hub hit in Ukrainian drone strike in Krasnodar Krai, SBU source says. Ukrinform, March 12, 2026 — SSU strikes one of largest oil hubs in southern Russia in Tikhoretsk, source says. Ukrainska Pravda, March 12, 2026 — Ukraine's Security Service behind drone attack on oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Krai – UP sources. Ukrainska Pravda, March 12, 2026 — Oil depot on fire in Russia's Krasnodar Krai after drone attack – photos, video. Kyiv Post, March 12, 2026 — Ukraine Hits One of Southern Russia's Largest Oil Transshipment Hubs. UNITED24 Media, March 12, 2026 — Drone Strike Ignites Fire at Key Russian Oil Storage Facility in Krasnodar Region. Reuters, March 2, 2026 — Black Sea's Novorossiysk port suspended loadings after a major Ukrainian drone attack. Reuters, February 24, 2026 — Transneft cuts pipeline oil intake after drone attack on key pumping station. Reuters, February 24, 2026 — UK targets Russia's Transneft in new sanctions on Ukraine war anniversary. Reuters, March 12, 2026 — Oil jumps 7% as Iran escalates attacks on Gulf shipping. SPRAVDI / Stratcom Centre on X, March 12, 2026 — social-media reaction referenced in breaking coverage.----------

Stanislav Gryshyn is a Ukrainian defence-tech entrepreneur and combat veteran best known as a co-founder and Director of Strategic Development and Project Management at General Cherry, a frontline-focused Ukrainian drone manufacturer specializing in FPV strike and interceptor systems. He is part of Ukraine's wartime miltech ecosystem, with General Cherry's products developed for real combat use by Ukraine's security and defence forces. Since 2022 he has served with Ukraine's Centre for Innovation and Development of Defence Technologies under the Ministry of Defence and in the 412th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems, 101st Brigade, and that he was one of the developers of Delta, Ukraine's situational-awareness, battle-management system.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanislav-gryshyn-2b1582152/4https://www.gencherry.com/enhttps://forumkyiv.org/en/speakers/stanislav-gryshyn----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep302 | 2026-03-15 | Make it make sense. Iran helped Russia attack Ukraine, but Russia is also providing data to Iran to target U.S. military assets in its confrontation with Iran. Yet Trump is lifting oil sanctions on Russia. None of it makes sense, unless we accept that Trump is acting to benefit Russia, whether he is fully conscious of that or not. I'm inclined to believe he knows what he's doing, when he makes decisions that provide strategic advantage to Vladimir Putin. As the war evolved against Ukraine, Russia absorbed drone technology from Iran, the infamous Shaheed, scaled production, and according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now supplying Shahed drones back to Iran for use against the United States and Israel. Reuters, quoting Zelenskyy's CNN interview broadcast on March 15, says he called it “100% facts” that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheeds against U.S. bases. Reuters also added an important caveat: not every Shahed used in the region can be cleanly attributed from public evidence, and the exact manufacturer is not always clear. The strongest version of the claim is this: Zelenskyy says Russia is now feeding the very drone ecosystem that Iran once fed into Russia's war on Ukraine. (Reuters)Reports are coming out today even, that claim China is manufacturing drones for use by both Russia and Iran. This is the axis of authoritarians in full alignment on this issue at least. That is one of many grotesque inversions, in an episode where we struggle to make sense of it all.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters, March 15, 2026 — Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants money and technology in return for Middle East drone help.Reuters, March 14–15, 2026 — Zelenskyy says Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones. AP, March 15, 2026 — Zelenskyy says talks are delayed and pushes back on Trump's dismissal of Ukrainian drone help.Reuters, March 13, 2026 — Zelenskyy says the Iran war distracts from Ukraine and that a Russian oil waiver could aid Moscow. Reuters, March 9, 2026 — Ukraine sent drone experts to protect U.S. bases in Jordan, Zelenskyy says. Reuters, March 10, 2026 — Ukraine sent air-defense teams to Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Reuters, March 5, 2026 — U.S. and Qatar discussed acquiring Ukrainian interceptor drones and jammers. Reuters, March 8, 2026 — Zelenskyy says Ukraine has unique drone experience and is ready to help partners. Bloomberg, March 13, 2026 — U.S. Army sent 10,000 interceptor drones to the Middle East that were used or developed for the Ukraine fight.The Guardian, March 12, 2026 — UK Defence Secretary says Putin's “hidden hand” lies behind Iranian drone tactics.Atlantic Council, March 12, 2026 — analysis arguing the Iran war highlights Ukraine's rise as a drone power. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Vladyslav Heraskevych is a Ukrainian Olympic skeleton athlete who became one of the central figures of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after attempting to compete in a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes and children killed in Russia's invasion. The IOC ruled the helmet non-compliant with its athlete expression rules, and after he refused to abandon it, he was excluded from competition. The cruel and unfair irony is that Russian athletes, some of whom participated in the illegal war, and many of whom support the war, were grotesquely allowed to compete under the Russian flag in the paralympic games.----------LINKS:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladyslav_Heraskevychhttps://www.instagram.com/heraskevychvladyslav/?hl=enhttps://x.com/heraskevychhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/16/heraskevych-ban-reflects-badly-on-the-international-olympic-committee----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

2026-03-15 | UPDATES #145 | Ukraine has gone after some of the most valuable eyes and shields in Russia's military occupation architecture in Crimea. And scored some, dramatically successful, high-value hits. Overnight on March 15, Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian forces struck two Russian radar systems in occupied Crimea — the 59N6-E “Protivnik” and the 73E6 “Parol” — near Liubknekhivka and also hit a launcher from an S-400 “Triumf” air-defense system near Dalne. The same reporting added that a Valdai radar previously struck near Prymorske on March 10 had sustained significant damage. That is exquisite target selection, that indicates Ukraine is deliberately working on the surveillance and air-defence web that helps Russia hold Crimea and protect other military assets deeper in the peninsula. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Kyiv Independent, March 15, 2026 — Ukraine strikes Russian radar systems, S-400 launcher in occupied Crimea, General Staff says.Ukrinform, March 15, 2026 — Ukraine strikes Russian S-400 launcher, radars in Crimea — General Staff. Ukrainska Pravda, March 15, 2026 — Ukraine's General Staff reports strikes on two Russian radar stations and S-400 launcher in Crimea. Defence Express / Defence UA, March 15, 2026 — technical background on the struck systems and General Staff framing. Reuters, June 12, 2024 — Ukraine says it hit three Russian air defence systems in occupied Crimea. Reuters, April 18, 2024 — Four Russian missile launchers 'critically damaged' in Crimea, Ukraine says. Reuters, July 26, 2024 — Ukraine says missile forces hit Russian air base in Crimea. Reuters, February 20, 2026 — One dead in Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol in Crimea, governor says. Reuters, March 14, 2026 — reporting on the latest massive Russian missile and drone attack against Ukraine. ----------

Stefan Korshak is the Kyiv Post Senior Defence Correspondent. He has worked as a correspondent and photographer since the 1990s, reported from multiple wars, and publishes commentary on Medium and other platforms. Stefan is highly regarded in the activist community for the quality of his insights and sources of information. ----------LINKS:https://medium.com/@Stefan.Korshakhttps://substack.com/@stefankorshakhttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/11https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-korshak-54821661/https://dupuyinstitute.org/2026/01/12/stefan-korshak-and-the-siege-of-mariupol-book/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://www.protectingtherepublic.com/https://substack.com/@protectingtherepublichttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

2026-03-13 | UPDATES #144 | This is big. Earlier this week Ukraine just struck one of the nerve centres of Russia's missile-industrial machine. Why Ukraine hit Kremniy EL now, and why it matters.This is not just another oil depot or barracks. Not another ammo dump or drone cache. A microelectronics plant. It is the very definition of hitting the archer, not just the arrows. The target was Kremniy EL in Bryansk, a major Russian manufacturer of military-use microelectronics near the Ukrainian border. On March 10, Ukraine's military said it hit the facility with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, and President Volodymyr Zelensky said the plant produced electronics and components for Russian missiles — the same missiles, as he put it, that hit Ukrainian cities, villages and civilians. (Reuters)Reuters reports that Ukraine described Kremniy EL as “a critically important link in the chain of production of Russian high precision weapons,” while the General Staff said “significant damage” to production facilities had been recorded, with the full extent still being assessed. This was not opportunistic, but industrial warfare, targeted and deliberate. (Reuters)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, “Zelenskiy says Ukraine's military hit key Russian missile plant in Bryansk region” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Ukrainian missile strike on Russia's Bryansk causes casualties, local governor says” — March 10, 2026. The Kyiv Independent, “Ukraine strikes missile control systems plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, Zelensky says” — March 10, 2026. Ukrainska Pravda, “Ukraine's General Staff releases footage of Storm Shadow strike on Bryansk plant in Russia” — March 10, 2026. Meduza, “ВСУ нанесли удар ракетами Storm Shadow по заводу микроэлектроники ‘Кремний Эл' в Брянске” — March 10, 2026. Deutsche Welle Russian, “ВСУ нанесли ракетный удар по производителю военной продукции в Брянске” — March 10, 2026. ----------

Silicon Bites Ep301 | 2026-03-13 | Let's be precise. The whole front is not collapsing. But on one crucial stretch of the southern battlefield, Russian defences have very clearly been breached, rolled back, and thrown into disorder. Ukraine's 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” says it has liberated Ternove in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, after a hard-fought assault on the Oleksandrivka axis — the borderland where Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk oblasts grind into one another.Local public broadcaster Suspilne Dnipro reported the liberation on 11 March, citing the regiment and an on-air interview with battalion commander Andrii Kiianenko. (Суспільне | Новини)What's confirmed? Ukrainian forces have been conducting a sustained counteroffensive on this axis since late January. Ukraine's military leadership says more than 400 square kilometres have been retaken on the broader front. Ukrainian and outside analysts say the initiative on this sector has shifted, at least locally, toward Kyiv. Ternove is now being reported as back under Ukrainian control. (Pravda)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Suspilne Dnipro, 11 March 2026 — report on Ternove's liberation and interview with battalion commander Andrii Kiianenko.UA.NEWS, 11 March 2026 — regiment-linked account of the operation, including Jan. 30 start date, 200 assault troops, three-day clearing phase, ongoing counterattacks, and preliminary casualty claims. Ukrainska Pravda, 9 March 2026 — Syrskyi on the Oleksandrivka counteroffensive and 400+ sq km regained. Kyiv Independent, 10 March 2026 — Emil Kastehelmi analysis and reporting that Ukraine pushed Russian troops from most occupied parts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Ukrinform, 10 March 2026 — Voloshyn on active counterattacks along the Dnipropetrovsk–Zaporizhzhia border and Huliaipole sector. RBC-Ukraine, 11 March 2026 — ISW-linked mapping update on advances around Ternove and broader front geometry.Kyiv Post, 10 March 2026 — Komarenko interview summary on the planned offensive, 400+ sq km regained, and the “buffer zone” logic. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Silicon Bites Ep300 | 2026-03-11 | Oilpocalypse? Iran's Hormuz shock meets Russia's budget hole. How Iran's war just threw Putin a lifeline. A few weeks ago, the mood in Moscow was not triumphalist. It was anxious. Because before the Iran war detonated global oil markets, Russia's own Central Bank had already started telegraphing a much uglier reality: weaker oil, weaker exports, more budget strain, and a narrowing room for manoeuvre on rates and inflation. In February, the Bank of Russia cut its key rate to 15.5%, while official and semi-official reporting around that decision pointed to a much weaker outlook for Urals crude, with the bank's baseline effectively built around $45 oil in 2026. Public reporting at the time said Urals had fallen as low as $41 a barrel, well below the assumptions used in the Russian budget.Oilpocalypse? Or Oil Resurrection? A few weeks ago, Russia had a problem. Its war economy is powered by not so much by cash flow from making and selling products, but from hydrocarbons flow. And oil-and-gas revenues still matter enormously to the federal budget. Reuters reported last week that oil and gas revenues account for roughly a quarter to a third of Russian budget income, and that falling oil prices were already being flagged as a key fiscal risk even before the Middle East crisis went fully incandescent. Reuters also noted that Moscow's budget assumptions were under pressure from both lower oil prices and a stronger rouble, which means fewer roubles earned per export dollar.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters, “US weighs easing Russian oil sanctions to cool global price surge, sources say” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Trump says US is waiving certain oil-related sanctions to ensure supply” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Trump weighs easing Russia sanctions, other measures to cool oil prices” — March 9, 2026.Reuters, “US energy chief defends waiver on Russian oil sanctions, blames fear for higher gas prices” — March 8, 2026.Reuters, “EU urges US to strictly enforce G7 price cap on Russian oil” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Russia is the only winner of Middle East war, EU's Costa says” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Putin says energy crisis has arrived but Russia is ready to work with Europe” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Russian oil prices soar though tanker costs eat into gains” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Russia gets export boost from Iran war as price of oil to India surges” — March 6, 2026. Reuters, “Iran-fuelled oil price rally not enough to balance Russia's budget” — March 3, 2026. Reuters, “Oil jumps to 2022 high on Iran war, falls after close as Russia sanctions in doubt” — March 8, 2026. Reuters, “Aramco sees ‘catastrophic consequences' for oil markets if Hormuz strait remains blocked” — March 10, 2026. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-03-12 | UPDATES #143 | What does it say about the state of mind in the Putin regime, that it has started normalising communications blackouts in its own capital? This is where Russia is now – internet shutdowns in the centre of Moscow have become daily occurrences. Is it to do with war security, as the regime claims, or is it to do with fears of a coup, circulating as rumours? Over the past week, Moscow, St Petersburg, and other Russian cities have seen repeated mobile internet outages, with residents reporting they could not load apps, call taxis, access websites, complete payments, or sometimes even place normal calls. On March 10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the shutdowns were real, saying they were being imposed for security reasons and were being carried out “in strict compliance with current legislation.” A day later, the Kremlin doubled down, saying the restrictions would last “as long as necessary” for public safety. That is the official story: security. But in Russia, “security” is a broad and opaque explanation. It comes with the hint and shadow of the feared security and intelligence services, the successors to the KGB. And increasingly, it is a method for switching off normal life.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, March 10, 2026 — Kremlin says Moscow mobile internet outages are done for sake of security.Meduza, March 10, 2026 — The Kremlin says it's cutting off mobile Internet access for security reasons. Muscovites say they're resigning themselves to regular blackouts. The Guardian, March 12, 2026 — Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan. Kyiv Independent, March 11, 2026 — Fact-check: Moscow internet outages spark coup rumors — experts say it's 'wishful thinking'. Reuters, September 5, 2025 — Russia lists local apps that will survive its internet blackouts. Reuters, February 12, 2026 — Russia fully blocks WhatsApp, talks up state-backed alternative. President of Russia / Kremlin website, February 20, 2026 — law requiring telecom providers to suspend services at the FSB's request. ----------

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://www.protectingtherepublic.com/https://substack.com/@protectingtherepublichttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security. ----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Silicon Bites Ep294 | 2026-03-01 | Russia is the best ally, until things get real, and a response is requested. Is Putin ‘ghosting' the Iranian regime, and reneging on mutual security commitments? What is the value of an alliances when one side weasels out in the moment of dire need? And are the U.S. and Russia vying to see who can be the very worst of allies within their circle of ‘partners'? Russia seeming to dump Iran also brings up the question of whether security guarantees mean anything at all in this post-truth, post-order world. Geopolitics is purely transactional, and it seems that all alliances are contingent – no commitments solid or binding. Ukraine should also take note – that agreements and treaties mean nothing to Russia, and perhaps the U.S. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters on Putin's response and absence of mutual defence clause (March 1, 2026). Reuters on Hormuz / market risk and Russian warning (March 1, 2026). AP on Russia's condemnation, Lavrov–Araghchi call, UNSC push (Feb 28, 2026). Reuters on Russia suspending flights amid escalation (Feb 28, 2026). ISW assessment of Russia's “boilerplate” condemnation and strategic limits (Feb 28, 2026). AK&M on ratification law + treaty clause summary (Feb 28, 2026).Interfax treaty clause text (Apr 16, 2025) (background). Foreign Policy on treaty not being a mutual defence pact (Feb 27, 2026) (background framing). The Guardian reporting on the opening strikes and regional escalation (Feb 28, 2026). ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-02-28 | UPDATES #141 | War Without the Vote: US–Israel strikes on Iran, the law they skipped, and the Ukraine knock-on effects. It's Saturday 28 February 2026 and the U.S. is at war with Iran. It finally happened. The United States has launched strikes on Iran alongside Israel — and the White House is calling this “major combat operations.” Is this an unambiguous declaration of war, or something more akin to the Russian phrase SVO “special military operation?”Here's the issue: this is an act that looks and feels like war — without the constitutional process and indeed ritual that's supposed to precede war. No vote. No mandate. No consultation with lawmakers even – which would usually be the minimal possible bar to meet before any such operation. No coalition of allies you can point to and say, “this is collective security.” Just jets, missiles, and the drama of one criminal regime attacking another.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters (Feb 28, 2026): Israel “pre-emptive” strike; US strikes underway The Guardian (Feb 28, 2026): US–Israel joint attack; legality concerns; live updates Washington Post live updates (Feb 28, 2026): airspace closure reporting Axios (Feb 28, 2026): Jeffries / Davidson reactions Statement from Sen. Adam Schiff War Powers Resolution (48-hour report requirement; 60-day limit) (Justia Law)2001 AUMF; 2002 Iraq AUMF (Congress.gov) (United Nations)UN Charter Article 51 (self-defence) (Congress.gov)Legal analysis: TIME explainer; EJIL:Talk! critique (Congress.gov)Newsweek (Feb 25, 2026): regional partners denying basing/launchpad accessKyiv Independent (Feb 28, 2026): Zelensky reaction; Iran–Russia support monitoring (Foreign Policy Research Institute)Reuters (Feb 25–26, 2026): Russia budget stress / oil revenues context CSIS: missile defence inventory constraints (background)Financial Times / Washington Post: US munitions & stockpile concerns (background)----------

Gen. David H. Petraeus is a retired four-star general and former Director of the CIA (2011–2012). In uniform, he led multiple high-profile commands, including the Iraq “surge”, U.S. Central Command, and the NATO/coalition mission in Afghanistan. After government service, he moved into the private sector and is currently Chair of the KKR Global Institute. In the last two years, Petraeus has been one of the most persistent establishment voices arguing the West should increase support for Ukraine rather than manage the war to “avoid escalation.” At the Kyiv Security Forum in February 2025, he argued there was bipartisan U.S. support to keep backing Ukraine, praised Ukraine's battlefield innovation — especially in unmanned systems — and noted it was his fifth trip to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.----------LINKS:https://www.rusi.org/people/petraeushttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpetraeus/https://www.kkr.com/about/our-people/david-h-petraeushttps://www.centcom.mil/ABOUT-US/LEADERSHIP/Bio-Article-View/Article/904777/david-howell-petraeus/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain?Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Livestream with Yuri RashkinLINKS:https://rashkinreport.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rashkin-report/id1183073638----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

David Satter is a journalist and historian with unique insights into how the deformation and repression of the past, is having terrible consequences for present day Russia. David has written extensively about Russia and the Soviet Union, especially the decline and fall of the USSR and rise of post-Soviet Russia. David Satter became the first American journalist to be expelled from Russia since the Cold War in December 2013. This was perhaps not a surprising move, given that his books have covered topics such as the FSB's role in the apartment bombings that brought Putin to power. From 1976 to 1982 David was the Moscow correspondent of the Financial Times, and then became a special correspondent on Soviet affairs for The Wall Street Journal. He is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a fellow of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. ----------BOOKS:He is author of several books that are essential reading to help understand the origins of the current crisis, including the brilliantly named books: - It Was a Long Time Ago, and It Never Happened Anyway- Darkness at Dawn: The Rise of the Russian Criminal State- The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep----------LINKS:https://davidsatter.com/https://twitter.com/davidsatter?lang=enhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Satterhttps://www.hudson.org/experts/362-david-satterhttps://www.fpri.org/contributor/david-satter/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/authors/david-satter----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain?Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Artem Moroz is a Ukrainian defense innovation and investment ecosystem specialist best known publicly for his leadership work inside BRAVE1, Ukraine's state-backed defence-tech cluster. He is BRAVE1's head of investor relations and a senior figure working on partnerships and international cooperation. Moroz has been a visible spokesperson for BRAVE1's international outreach — most notably Ukraine's “Test in Ukraine” initiative (a framework for foreign manufacturers to trial systems with Ukrainian forces and receive operational feedback). BRAVE1 is Ukraine's defence-tech coordination platform created under the umbrella of the country's wartime innovation push. It was launched under Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation in April 2023, to coordinate officials, military users, industry, investors, and donors to accelerate the loop from prototype to approval and deployment. BRAVE1's objectives include: 1) Accelerate battlefield innovation cycles2) Direct funding to priority capabilities3) Align developers with real military demand4) Build an investable defence-tech ecosystem5) Increase domestic production independence (components and scale)6) International cooperation and “Test in Ukraine”----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/artemmoroz/https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave1ukraine/posts/https://brave1.gov.ua/en/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave1https://digitalstate.gov.ua/projects/tech/brave1https://x.com/BRAVE1ua?lang=en----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------DESCRIPTION:4 Years of War: Jason Jay Smart on Russia's Weakness, Putin's Resolve, and What the West Must Do Next. On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Jonathan interviews political advisor Jason Jay Smart, who argues the last four years have exposed major weaknesses in Russia's military—its air force's limited effectiveness, the army's dysfunction, and Ukraine's crippling of the Black Sea Fleet—while also highlighting Vladimir Putin's unchanged resolve and willingness to absorb massive losses. Smart and Jonathan contend the war is a battle within a wider global conflict driven by a Russian worldview rooted in hierarchy, coercion, and absolute power rather than rule of law, and that Western leaders misunderstand Russia by assuming it thinks like Europe. ----------

Cormac Smith has worked in Public Relations and Corporate Communications for over three decades. In 2016 he traveled to Ukraine to take up a special appointment as the ‘Strategic Communication Advisor' to Pavlo Klimkin, then the Foreign Minister of Ukraine. He was attached to the British Embassy in Kyiv but was embedded in Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first foreigner to hold such a position. While in Kyiv, he also advised and provided training for five other government ministries and worked directly with three other cabinet ministers: Health, Education and the Deputy Prime Minister. ----------LINKS:https://defencebrink.uk/https://x.com/CormacS63https://x.com/philipingmbe----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------DESCRIPTION:Cormac Smith on Ukraine: Why “As Long As It Takes” Is Not a StrategyJonathan interviews communications veteran Cormac Smith, formerly embedded in Ukraine's Foreign Ministry as a strategic communications adviser, on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Smith argues the West should have said “with Ukraine until they win,” criticizing “as long as it takes” as planless and enabling slow-walked, constrained military aid and excessive fear of Putin's nuclear threats. ----------

Silicon Bites Ep293 | 2026-02-25 | Druzhba on Fire: Ukraine's drones, Orbán's veto, Fico's power cut — and Europe's energy solidarity stress-test. I love the smell of burning Russian oil in the morning – it smells, like… VICTORY! You may have seen the videos of the burning installation? Absolutely spectacular. A fireball in Tatarstan — more than a thousand kilometers from the Ukrainian border — and suddenly Hungary and Slovakia are threatening to hold up EU sanctions and attempting to take Ukraine's funding hostage (spoilers – they didn't succeed). This is the Druzhba pipeline crisis: drones, oil, electricity supplies and two EU capitals trying to turn Russia's outrageous aggression into their own political leverage. Druzhba means “friendship.” But 2026, it's unfriendly actions that are taking centre stage.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters — Ukrainian drones hit Druzhba-linked pumping station in Tatarstan (23 Feb 2026). RFE/RL — Explosion at key Druzhba-linked facility in Tatarstan (23 Feb 2026). Kyiv Independent — SBU source claims strike details on Kaleykino station (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Slovakia to stop emergency power supplies to Ukraine over Druzhba dispute (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Ukraine moves Druzhba resumption date to Feb 25, Slovakia says (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Hungary blocks sanctions and EU cash/loan amid Druzhba dispute; Kallas quote (23 Feb 2026).Reuters — Szijjártó: “We will not give in to this blackmail” (20 Feb 2026).Euronews — Hungary blocks sanctions package until oil transit resumes (22 Feb 2026). Euronews — Slovakia halts emergency power supply; Ukraine “ultimatums” response (23 Feb 2026).Kyiv Independent — Ukraine condemns Hungary/Slovakia “ultimatums and blackmail” (21 Feb 2026).The New Voice of Ukraine — Sybiha: Ukraine ready to “act constructively” (24 Feb 2026). ANSA — Szijjártó on blocking sanctions; Hungarian government framing (22 Feb 2026). Al Jazeera — EU sanctions some Russians as Hungary blocks broader measures; Druzhba dispute context (23 Feb 2026). ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-02-23 | UPDATES #140 | The Kill Zone — how the drone war is rewriting strategy in Ukraine. Based on an original text from The Financial Times – “Inside the ‘kill zone'”, how drones are reshaping Ukraine's frontline — and the future of warfare by Christopher Miller in Kyiv and Chris Campbell, Peter Andringa and Sam Joiner in London. Structure: Two acts —I. The battlefield revolutionII. The strategic consequencesFor most of modern history, war meant manoeuvre — tanks advance, infantry holds ground, artillery shapes the battlefield. Air power is a crucial element. Not anymore.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Financial Times frontline reporting (kill zone investigation) DroneXL summary of FT investigation Ukrainian FPV production capacity (Межа. Новини України.)Casualties and drone volume (Military.com)Battlefield effects of drones (The Sun)Kherson drone defence and civilian impact (Pravda)----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce and friends. Fundraising for equipment through Dzyga's Paw, and trucks for Car4Ukraine.Donate to help out:https://dzygaspaw.com/projectshttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaigns----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

2026-02-17 | UPDATES #134 | Russia's Economy Enters the “Death Zone”. Russia's war economy hasn't “collapsed”. It's done something worse. It has climbed into what mountaineers call the death zone — that altitude where the body survives by consuming itself. (X (formerly Twitter))Here's the key question: if Vladimir Putin chooses more war, what breaks first? If he chooses to pause the war, what breaks immediately? Because Russia is now in a trap where every option has a cost to Russia's future — and some options cost in the present. The economy is burning up, and soon Russians who have been shielded from the war will feel the heat. This episode is based on the writings and comments of Alexandra Prokopenko, an expert on Russia's politics and economics, who recently wrote an excellent piece in the Economist, and the video podcasts of Vladimir Milov, Russian dissident economist. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: ----------

Silicon Bites Ep286 | 2026-02-16 | Britain and four European allies now say Alexei Navalny wasn't just ‘mistreated' in prison — he was poisoned with a rare neurotoxin linked to poison dart frogs. Finally, they're naming it. Some of us always believe he was deliberately killed, but would not have expected that such a rare, expensive and theatrical poison would have been used. It seems that the cruelty and callousness of Moscow is matched by its penchant for theatrical murder. On 14 February 2026, the UK Foreign Office published a statement saying lab work found epibatidine in samples from Navalny's body — calling it “the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs.” The UK says it was found in Navalny's body and “highly likely resulted in his death,” and adds: “There is no innocent explanation for its presence.” (GOV.UK)And the UK didn't do this alone. Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands issued a joint statement: their national laboratories' analysis “conclusively confirmed” epibatidine. They say it isn't found naturally in Russia — which is the point: you don't accidentally pick up a toxin sourced from South American dart frogs inside a Russian penal colony. (GOV.UK)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES:UK Foreign Office statement (14 Feb 2026): “UK confirms Russia poisoned Navalny in prison with rare toxin.” Joint statement (UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands) on lab confirmation of epibatidine. Reuters (15 Feb 2026): Rubio says US has “no reason to question” European assessment; details on non-signature. AP (14 Feb 2026): summary of European statement, OPCW referral, date of death. The Guardian (15 Feb 2026): UK considering sanctions; Russian embassy rebuttal; Cooper comments.Sky News (14 Feb 2026): timing analysis; Navalnaya's Munich remarks; embassy response framing. Al Jazeera (15 Feb 2026): recap + notes uncertainty over how samples were obtained; Navalny death/MSC timing. The Guardian science explainer (14 Feb 2026): epibatidine effects; expert toxicology quotes. Euronews (14 Feb 2026): summary of allied accusations and MSC context. The Insider (14 Feb 2026): OPCW notification and related reporting context. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-02-16 | UPDATES #133 | Russian losses now outpacing recruitment (again) — and why Moscow is leaning harder on foreign fighters. The military math in Moscow does not add up – the tally between bodies in, bodies out. The difference between vodka fueled recruits and sunflower fodder. And for a war being fought at drone-speed and trench-distances, that's arithmetic Putin can't spin. Multiple streams of reporting and official claims over the last week — capped by fresh remarks out of Munich — point to the same brutal conclusion: Russia is bleeding manpower faster than it can refill the trenches, and it's increasingly padding the gap with foreign fighters — some recruited under false pretenses, some coerced, some simply disposable. Let's unpack what we know, what we can't independently verify, and why the Kremlin's recruitment logic is starting to look less like “strategic endurance” and more like a meat-processing plant with a military payroll department attached. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: The Straits Times (via Bloomberg), 16 Feb 2026, “Russia's losses in Ukraine boosting reliance on foreign fighters, Britain says.” Bloomberg, 15–16 Feb 2026, “Russia's Losses Boost Reliance on Foreign Fighters, UK Says.”Ukrinform (citing Bloomberg), 15 Feb 2026, “Russia's losses increase its reliance on foreign fighters.” AP News, 13 Feb 2026, “Ukraine says 2 Nigerians fighting for Russia found dead in Luhansk after drone strike.” The Kyiv Independent, 12 Feb 2026, “Russian losses exceeded recruitment for second month in a row, Ukraine says.” Ukrainska Pravda (Eng.) (citing Bloomberg), 12 Feb 2026, “Russian losses in January exceeded number of new recruits.” Al Jazeera, 13 Feb 2026, casualty/recruitment reporting and Syrskyi Telegram quote.EuroMaidan Press, 13 Feb 2026, Brovdi drone-verified loss/recruitment discussion (context and claims).Reuters, 14 Jan 2026, “Ukraine's new defence minister vows innovation…” (Fedorov appointment background). Ukraine Ministry of Defence (official bio page), “Mykhailo Fedorov” (appointment details). NATO transcript, 12 Feb 2026, remarks with Ukraine Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Financial Times, 10 Feb 2026, “Russian army casualties in Ukraine surge” (attrition context).----------

Today I'm speaking with Operator Starsky, a former Ukrainian National Guardian, blogger, and inspiration for everyone who is following the war, and supporting a Ukrainian victory. He has created one of the most popular and original YouTube channels dedicated to the international community. I'm not sure you need an introduction – I'm sure most people watching this channel will have seen your videos! ----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@PropagandaStudyInstitutehttp://psi-eu.org/https://www.youtube.com/@StarskyUA----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain?Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, s

Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia's war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain?Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Silicon Bites Ep292 | 2026-02-23 | Russia is closed for business — the war economy that is devouring its own future. Russian opposition economist Vladimir Milov says Russia's economy now runs on one fuel: state war spending. Businesses can't invest, workers are disappearing, interest rates crush enterprise — and the Kremlin doesn't seem to care. The result? A country technically functioning, but economically shutting down, abandoning the core tenets of a market economy, and shedding all vestiges of economic rationality. Russia hasn't been sanctioned into isolation and oblivion. It's reorganising itself into a permanent wartime command economy – destroying all the economic progress of the 1990s. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES:AP News — wartime tax pressure on small business (2026)Reuters Breakingviews — fiscal strain and depletion of reserves (Feb 2026)The Moscow Times — stagnation, falling profits, investment slowdown The Moscow Times — taxes rising and growth ~1% PISM / economic analysis — 21% interest rates, labour shortage Wilson Center — war economy discourages investmentRUSI — inflation driven by war spendingGuardian economic analysis — labour shortages and tax increases Kyiv Independent interview with Vladimir Milov — reserves depletion and investment collapse----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-02-23 | UPDATES #139 | March 2014. Moscow. The world still pretends Crimea is a “local crisis.” Diplomats still talk about “off-ramps.” European politicians still think sanctions might gently persuade the Kremlin back to reality.And on a cold street in the Russian capital — something extraordinary happens. Thousands gather for the March of Peace. One of the speakers is a former Deputy Prime Minister — not a dissident outsider, not an exile, not a nationalist firebrand.A man who helped build post-Soviet Russia. Boris Nemtsov. And he does something almost nobody inside Russia dared to do in public. He explains exactly what this war will become.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: BBC News — Nemtsov assassination coverage (Feb 2015)Reuters — Kremlin reaction and investigation chronology (2015)Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — Nemtsov's Ukraine war reports & speechesMeduza — publication of Putin. War reportHuman Rights Watch — Russia Crimea annexation documentationEuropean Council on Foreign Relations — early war analysis (2014-2016)Boris Nemtsov — March of Peace speech (Moscow, March 2014)Nemtsov & co-authors — Putin. War report (2015)Vladimir Kara-Murza essays on Nemtsov and Russian oppositionCarnegie Moscow Center — Russia-Ukraine relations post-CrimeaChatham House — Russian strategic objectives in UkraineAtlantic Council — early Donbas military involvement evidence----------

Welcome to our monthly conversation with Konstantin, who is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening Inside Russia. Konstantin Samoilov is a well-known YouTuber whose channel ‘Inside Russia' comments insightfully on Russia's decent into authoritarianism over the last few years. But now, like many others, he's outside Russia, with no idea of when he can return there. ----------LINKS: @INSIDERUSSIA https://www.patreon.com/insiderussiaINSIDE RUSSIA is a source of current news on Russia - Konstantin carefully selects 9 news stories that are important and really matter, with commentaries and analyses by Konstantin delivered daily to channel patrons at Patreon.comGet your access to daily news updates at patreon.com/INSIDERUSSIA----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------DESCRIPTION: Inside Russia: Corruption on Steroids, Elite Chaos & Covert Mobilization Jonathan hosts a bimonthly discussion with Konstantin Samoilov about developments 'Inside Russia' approaching the fourth anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine. They argue Russia's economic decline is a slow-motion collapse, but the more decisive shift is in Russia's political landscape and social fabric, with corruption accelerating as officials fear the system is becoming unstable. Konstantin describes widespread failures in utilities, healthcare, education, agriculture, and communications, alongside frequent arrests of regional officials, which he says signals a broken “social contract” of loyalty-for-impunity within Putin's vertical of power. He contrasts this with Ukraine becoming “healthier” and more resilient amid attacks, while acknowledging Ukraine's corruption issues but insisting Russia must stop its aggression. The conversation covers how officials allegedly loot state funds as if “there is no tomorrow,” including an example from Belgorod where reconstruction money was allegedly misallocated through falsified damage claims.----------

Silicon Bites Ep291 | 2026-02-22 | Russia will disappear. Its population consumed by imperial lust and pointless aggression. Compliance to a dictator that expends their lives senselessly and without care. Putin may be prepping a new mobilisation and the further hardening of the police state and repression. In this episode we cover the evidence of what Moscow is doing now, and what it may be planning and the stakes if Putin does choose to mobilise. The social, demographic and strategic consequences of this ominous decision.Tonight: a single, brutal question — is Vladimir Putin preparing Russia for a new wave of explicit mobilisation this spring? We'll run the actions we can verify, the signals from inside the system, and the cascade of consequences — from tightened censorship to demographic collapse and, yes, the remote but real risk of historic imperial implosion and disappearance.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES:ISW / RBC summary: “Putin readies hidden draft in 2026 amid heavy losses — ISW” — analysis of informational and legal moves toward staged conscription.The Guardian: “Russian crackdown on Telegram app prompts rare criticism from soldiers, pro-war bloggers and officials” — on throttling Telegram and frontline blowback. The Moscow Times: “Resisting the Kremlin's Communication Crackdown Requires New Thinking” (analysis on Telegram throttling and information controls). Human Rights Watch: “Russia: Crackdown on Dissent Escalates” — expanded legal repression and use of “security” charges. Forbes / Mark Temnycky: “How the war in Ukraine has sparked a demographic crisis in Russia” — background on population and labour impacts. PopulationPyramids.org — demographic data and trend visualisation for Russia (background). RUSI / other think-tank analyses on imperial overstretch and decline (context on long-run fragmentation risk).Euronews: “Central Asia's population boom contrasts Europe's demographic decline” — context on contrasting regional demographics and labour pools.----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2026-02-22 | UPDATES #138 | Massive blow for Russia — the Votkinsk strike.A bold, deep-strike into the heart of Russia's missile industry — Ukraine has hit the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. It's a long-range, high-value operation that — if confirmed — could blunt Moscow's ability to replenish ballistic and cruise missiles.On the night of 20–21 February 2026 — Ukrainian forces say they struck the JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant in the Udmurt Republic, a core site that manufactures engines and components for systems including Iskander, Oreshnik and some larger strategic missiles. Kyiv's General Staff publicly stated the strike and confirmed some details, saying it used domestically produced FP-5 “Flamingo” ground-launched cruise missiles. (ukrinform.net)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters: governor of Udmurtia says Ukrainian drones damaged site.Kyiv Independent: report on Flamingo strike, eyewitness videos and social posts. Defence-blog / Military analysis: satellite imagery and workshop damage assessment. UNN / local Ukrainian reporting: photos showing extensive damage to workshops. Pravda / Ukrainian defence reporting: FP-5 Flamingo missile claimed by Kyiv. UPI & LA Times: international wire coverage and context on reach and significance. Militantnyi / regional defence outlet: open-source satellite imagery analysis reporting specific workshop damage (No. 22, No. 36). ----------