Silicon Curtain

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----------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----------CHAPTERS: ----------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.org----------

Silicon Bites Ep352 | 2026-06-16 | This is the doctrine. The doctrine is the Empire of Savages. Savagery in this analytical frame is not the absence of values. Savagery is the active deployment of an alternative value system that treats the protections of international humanitarian law, the heritage of pluralistic civilisation, the existence of the autonomous nation, and the sanctity of religious and cultural sites as enemy property to be destroyed. The Russian state has not failed to understand the laws of war. The Russian state has rejected them — actively, doctrinally, and operationally — in favour of an alternative imperial framework that celebrates the destruction of pluralistic heritage as the restoration of properly-Russian civilisational primacy. It is still a crime. The vertical mindset— the vertikal, the Russian-imperial framework of centralised authoritarian rule under a single sovereign — is the political-structural correlate of this doctrinal framework. In the vertical mindset, values do not exist as independent constraints on power. Values exist only insofar as they serve the sovereign's project. Ukrainian democracy, Ukrainian pluralism, Ukrainian European-civilisational orientation are, in this framework, not alternative legitimate value systems. They are contempt-worthy errors that the sovereign's project is justified in correcting through violence. The Russian state's contempt for Ukraine — visible in every speech, every targeting decision, every cultural-heritage strike — is operationally informed by the perceived inferiority of pluralistic-democratic values of the West and Ukraine compared to the vertical-imperial framework.----------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 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----------SOURCES:Kyiv Independent — "Kyiv's historic Pechersk Lavra burns as large-scale Russian strikes kill 5, injure 29 in capital" (15 June 2026) Türkiye Today — "Russian attack sets fire to Ukraine's holiest UNESCO-listed site, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra" (15 June 2026) NPR / Associated Press — "Russian attack sets fire to religious site in Kyiv, kills 5 in Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) NBC News — "Russian attacks fuel blaze at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine monastery" (15 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Massive Russian Strike on Kyiv At Least Kills Five, Injures Dozens, Ignites Fire at Historic Pechersk Lavra Monastery" (15 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Five Ukrainian First Responders Killed in Russian Double-Tap Strike on Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) CNN — "Ukraine's historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery set on fire following major Russian attack" (15 June 2026) Al Jazeera — "Russian attacks in Ukraine kill nine, damage historic Kyiv cathedral" (15 June 2026)AP via WSB Radio — "Russian attack sets fire to centuries-old religious site in Kyiv and kills rescuers in Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) Ukrainska Pravda English — "Large fire at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra extinguished, Mystetskyi Arsenal still burning" (15 June 2026)Ukrainska Pravda English — "Fire breaks out at Mystetskyi Arsenal art museum following Russian attack" (15 June 2026) NV / The New Voice of Ukraine — "Mass Russian drone strike damages ----------

2026-06-15 | UPDATES #215 | EMPIRE OF SAVAGES: The Pechersk Lavra Burns, Five Kharkiv Rescuers Die in a Double-Tap, the Largest Ukrainian Costume Collection in History Is Incinerated — and the West Watches Russia Cross the Final Threshold of Cultural Erasure in a Single Night. Who dares still invoke Great Russia culture, when it's whole economy, industry, working population and military is single-mindedly focused on one thing – the attempted erasure of Ukraine and its culture. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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 — "Kyiv's historic Pechersk Lavra burns as large-scale Russian strikes kill 5, injure 29 in capital" (15 June 2026) Türkiye Today — "Russian attack sets fire to Ukraine's holiest UNESCO-listed site, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra" (15 June 2026) NPR / Associated Press — "Russian attack sets fire to religious site in Kyiv, kills 5 in Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) NBC News — "Russian attacks fuel blaze at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine monastery" (15 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Massive Russian Strike on Kyiv At Least Kills Five, Injures Dozens, Ignites Fire at Historic Pechersk Lavra Monastery" (15 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Five Ukrainian First Responders Killed in Russian Double-Tap Strike on Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) CNN — "Ukraine's historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery set on fire following major Russian attack" (15 June 2026) Al Jazeera — "Russian attacks in Ukraine kill nine, damage historic Kyiv cathedral" (15 June 2026)AP via WSB Radio — "Russian attack sets fire to centuries-old religious site in Kyiv and kills rescuers in Kharkiv" (15 June 2026) Ukrainska Pravda English — "Large fire at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra extinguished, Mystetskyi Arsenal still burning" (15 June 2026)Ukrainska Pravda English — "Fire breaks out at Mystetskyi Arsenal art museum following Russian attack" (15 June 2026) NV / The New Voice of Ukraine — "Mass Russian drone strike damages National Mystetskyi Arsenal complex in Kyiv" (15 June 2026) Kyiv Post — "681 Aerial Weapons: Russia Hits Kyiv, Leaving 4 Dead, Kills 5 Rescuers in Kharkiv Double Strike" (15 June 2026) Interfax Ukraine — "Zelenskyy: Targeted Russia attack on Lavra and Mystetskyi Arsenal area confirmed" (15 June 2026) UNN (Ukrainian News Network) — "Fire extinguished on the roof of a church in the Lavra after a Russian attack; aviation deployed" (15 June 2026)Yahoo News / Ukrinform archive — "Kyiv's Caves Monastery damaged in Russian attack" (January 2024 historical context) EU Today — "Russia's Strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Turns Ukraine's Air War Into Europe's Heritage Test" (15 June 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: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------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----------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:Anna from Ukraine on Russia's Cultural Terror, NATO Threats, and Kyiv's Strategy to Defeat the KremlinJonathan interviews Anna from Ukraine about her recent conversation with Peter Pomerantsev at the Lviv Media Forum and why Ukraine has become uniquely prepared to take meaningful action against Russia. Anna argues Ukraine's resolve comes from living the reality of full-scale war, losing the ability to plan, and focusing on immediate, practical defense and offense. They discuss Russia's escalating terror strikes on Ukrainian cultural heritage sites including Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and Kharkiv Museum of Art, the symbolism of cultural erasure, and skepticism that the White House will respond adequately. Anna warns intelligence services' reports of potential Russian attacks on NATO states are serious and describes hybrid tactics like drones and missiles against infrastructure to test alliance cohesion. She outlines Ukraine's strategy: deprive Russia of resources by striking logistics, fuel, arsenals, and fleets until Russia cannot continue the war.----------CHAPTERS:00:42 Lviv Forum Insights03:25 Ukraine's Will to Fight06:26 NATO Next Target09:52 Appeasement Failures11:45 Cultural Terror Signal16:01 Why West Won't Respond18:40 Ukraine Strikes Back22:00 Trump World Enablers28:49 How Russia Stops31:08 Strategy to Drain Resources----------

2026-06-14 | UPDATES #214 | The Institute for the Study of War has formalised the analytical framework that explains why the campaign is achieving its current operational tempo. ISW's June 2026 analysis, as cited by the AP wire reporting: the long-range strike campaign is therefore reducing Russia's production capacity, while the midrange strike campaign is hurting Russia's ability to transport the gasoline Russia is still able to produce.This is what that doctrine means operationally. Long-range strikes — like the 1,500-kilometre reach to Salavat in Bashkortostan, the 1,700-km reach demonstrated against southern Russian targets, the Kotovo and Saratov-region pumping nodes — destroy production capacity. The refinery cannot be quickly rebuilt. The AVT units take months to replace. The destroyed production is gone from the market for the duration of the rebuild.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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:Associated Press via US News & World Report — "Ukraine Hits Fuel Supplies to Crimea, Sparking a Fuel Crisis on the Russian-Held Peninsula" (11 June 2026) Washington Times via AP — "Ukraine strikes fuel supplies to Crimea, sparking a fuel crisis on the Russian-held peninsula" (12 June 2026) The Moscow Times — "Annexed Crimea's Largest Gas Station Chain Suspends Fuel Vouchers as Shortage Worsens" (1 June 2026) AP via AOL — "Parts of Russia run dry as Ukraine's drone strikes hit oil refineries" — Far East and Crimea most affected; A-95 ~50% above January levels on St Petersburg Mercantile Exchange; Primorye 78 rubles/liter; online resellers 220 rubles/liter; Kuril Islands A-92 halt; Crimea coupon-only sales; gas-station rationing landscapeKyiv Post — "Ukraine Marks Russia Day With Massive Drone Raid on Key Oil Refineries in Tatarstan and Samara" (12 June 2026)Kyiv Post — "Deep Pipeline Strike: Ukraine's Drone Campaign Cripples Vital Volgograd Oil Hub" (13 June 2026)Ukrinform — "War | Daily situation report" (13 June 2026) Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine strikes Russia's oil depot, radar station, other military targets, General Staff confirms" (10 June 2026)BBC Verify / BBC Russian — "Surge in Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries sparks Russian fuel shortages" (2025-2026) Kyiv Independent — "Key Russian oil pipeline node hit in massive Ukrainian drone barrage" (May 2026) Reuters / Yahoo via AOL — "Russia's Saratov oil refinery erupts in flames as Ukraine drone attacks intensify" (May 2026)----------

Dr Alex Fergusson is a UK-based composites and unmanned-systems specialist, Ukraine supporter, and prominent NAFO figure. He is best known in the Ukraine-support community as “Nother Alex Fergusson Fella” and describes himself online as a NAFO SquaDrone Leader and Fella, an “ardent supporter” of Ukraine, and a mechanics-of-composite-materials / nanocomposites specialist. Professionally, Fergusson's background is in advanced composite materials, aerospace structures, and drone/UAS design. He is a PhD-level lecturer at Imperial College London, founder of FAC Technology, with publications in composites and material characterisation.Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Fergusson has become an outspoken advocate for Ukrainian victory, with a particular focus on the fast-evolving role of FPV drones, autonomous systems, electronic warfare resilience, composite airframes, and UK–Ukrainian defence-tech cooperation. In LinkedIn posts, he has discussed FAC Technology's “Ghosts of The Few” and “Ghost Squadron Leader” UAS concepts, including Ukrainian-made versions, larger FPV drones, EW-hardened communications, and work with Ukrainian partners such as Drone Space / Dronarnia.----------LINKS: https://x.com/nother_fella2https://www.instagram.com/alexanderfergussonhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Fergussonhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexander-fergusson-9b95021_kseniia-kalmus-alex-fergusson-drone-event-activity-7261031593681567744-4fZ5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J31yASWIQvo&vl=en "Ukraine's fastest-evolving weapon: drones explained ..."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3K9me18dVo "Kseniia Kalmus & Alex Fergusson Drone Event"----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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 Ep351 | 2026-06-14 | OUT OF GAS: Russia Day 2026 Arrived with Empty Pumps, a 230-Drone Raid That Destroyed Samara's Kuibyshev Refinery, the Worst Crimean Fuel Crisis Since the 2014 Annexation, and a War That Has Stopped Being Something Russians Could Ignore. Happy Russia Day, swamp empire. Your days are numbered, as are those of the killer Putin. Breaking: 11–13 June 2026 — The Crimea fuel crisis hits its tourist-season inflection point on Russia Day; Ukraine's Russia Day raid lands 230 drones on Samara, Tatarstan, and Tolyatti and destroys AVT-4 and AVT-5 at the Kuibyshev refinery; the 13 June Kotovo and Tamanneftegas strikes extend the campaign into the Volgograd pumping network and the southern LPG export terminals; the Institute for the Study of War describes the dual-strike doctrine — and Russia's army runs out of momentum at the same moment its fuel system runs dry.----------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 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----------SOURCES:Associated Press via US News & World Report — "Ukraine Hits Fuel Supplies to Crimea, Sparking a Fuel Crisis on the Russian-Held Peninsula" (11 June 2026) Washington Times via AP — "Ukraine strikes fuel supplies to Crimea, sparking a fuel crisis on the Russian-held peninsula" (12 June 2026) The Moscow Times — "Annexed Crimea's Largest Gas Station Chain Suspends Fuel Vouchers as Shortage Worsens" (1 June 2026) AP via AOL — "Parts of Russia run dry as Ukraine's drone strikes hit oil refineries" — Far East and Crimea most affected; A-95 ~50% above January levels on St Petersburg Mercantile Exchange; Primorye 78 rubles/liter; online resellers 220 rubles/liter; Kuril Islands A-92 halt; Crimea coupon-only sales; gas-station rationing landscapeKyiv Post — "Ukraine Marks Russia Day With Massive Drone Raid on Key Oil Refineries in Tatarstan and Samara" (12 June 2026)Kyiv Post — "Deep Pipeline Strike: Ukraine's Drone Campaign Cripples Vital Volgograd Oil Hub" (13 June 2026)Ukrinform — "War | Daily situation report" (13 June 2026) Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine strikes Russia's oil depot, radar station, other military targets, General Staff confirms" (10 June 2026)BBC Verify / BBC Russian — "Surge in Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries sparks Russian fuel shortages" (2025-2026) Kyiv Independent — "Key Russian oil pipeline node hit in massive Ukrainian drone barrage" (May 2026) Reuters / Yahoo via AOL — "Russia's Saratov oil refinery erupts in flames as Ukraine drone attacks intensify" (May 2026)----------

Olena Halushka is a is a board member of the Ukrainian NGO “Anti-corruption Action Centre”, and co-founder of the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory. She has also worked as a chief of international advocacy at the post-Maidan coalition of 80 CSOs “Reanimation Package of Reforms”. Olena is a contributor to the Atlantic Council, Kyiv Independent. She has also written op-eds for the Washington Post, the Foreign Policy, and the EU Observer – but it's a major article she wrote for the UK's Guardian newspaper that we'll be discussing today.----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/OlenaHalushka https://twitter.com/AntAC_ua https://twitter.com/ICUVua https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-halushka-b7342259/?originalSubdomain=ua https://ukrainianvictory.org/experts/olena-halushka/ https://www.fpri.org/contributor/olena-halushka/https://cepa.org/author/olena-halushka/https://archive.kyivpost.com/author/olena-halushkahttps://foreignpolicy.com/author/olena-halushka/----------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----------

2026-06-13 | UPDATES #213 | How Putin's regime ends: the Abramovich Kyiv mission, the Beria precedent and why a chasm is opening between Putin, reality and his elites. 10 June 2026 — the most strategically consequential diplomatic event of the spring of 2026 was held in a Kyiv residence on 21 may, was disclosed by Putin himself at SPIEF on 5 June, and has now re-written the Russian elite's decisional arithmetic. But we must ask, is Abramovich negotiating on behalf of Putin, or the elites that may increasingly be diverging from him, in terms of their perceived interests. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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 (via Ukrainska Pravda English) — "Zelenskyy proposed meeting to Putin via Abramovich – Financial Times" (7 June 2026) Kyiv Independent — "Zelensky asked Russian oligarch Abramovich to send message to Putin on peace talks" (8 June 2026) Kyiv Post — "Zelensky Confirms Abramovich Came to Kyiv in May, Carried Messages to Putin Including Ceasefire Offer" (8 June 2026) Kyiv Post — "Abramovich Delivered Putin Message on Possible Talks Framework to Kyiv, Zelensky Says" (9 June 2026) Censor.NET — "Zelenskyy confirmed Abramovich's visit in May" (8 June 2026) Michael Naki (YouTube) — "ПУТИН ВЫБЕСИЛ СВОЮ ЭЛИТУ. Абрамович — лишь начало" / "Putin Has Enraged His Elite. Abramovich Is Just the Beginning" (early June 2026)Financial Times (background reporting, 2022; recapitulated in current FT coverage) Time magazine archive — "Russia: At the Kremlin Corral" (reproducing 1953-period coverage) Babel — "71 years ago, the bloody Soviet KGB leader Lavrentiy Beria lost his chance to lead the USSR" (June 2025) History Today — "Lavrenti Beria Executed" — Beria's improbable post-Stalin push for liberalization "that went further than colleagues were ready for"; Presidium hastily convened 26 June 1953; Khrushchev "blistering attack" with British intelligence accusations; "lethal plot was hatched against him"Soviet History MSU archive — "Succession to Stalin" — "Alarmed at Beria's growing prominence and control of the police, Khrushchev conspired with Malenkov and several other presidium members to arrange for Beria's arrest at the hands of the military"; 26 June 1953 plot execution; secret trial and 24 December 1953 execution----------

2026-06-11 | UPDATES #212 | PILLAR OF FIRE IN DAGESTAN: A Russian Trunk Gas Pipeline Just Burned in Kizilyurt — and It Wasn't Just Any Pipeline. It Was the Spine of the Russia-Iran Energy Axis. 9–10 June 2026 — Three Explosions on the 1,200-m Mozdok-Kazimagomed Trunk Line, Pillar of Fire Visible for Kilometres, 140 Civilians Evacuated, the Kremlin Calls It a "Technical Failure," and the Strategic Implications Reach All the Way to Tehran.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: RBC-Ukraine — "Dagestan gas pipeline fire - Major pipeline ignites" (9 June 2026)UNN (Ukrainian News Network) / Ukraine Today — "A powerful explosion occurred on a main gas pipeline in Dagestan, a pillar of fire rose into the sky" (9 June 2026) Mezha / Ukrinform — "Disinformation center releases footage of gas pipeline fire in Dagestan" (9 June 2026, 22:33)Ukrinform — "Explosion reported on gas pipeline in Dagestan" (10 June 2026)Caucasian Knot (Kavkazskiy Uzel English) — "The cause of the fire on the Mozdok-Kazimagomed gas pipeline has been revealed" (10 June 2026) Wikipedia — "Mozdok–Makhachkala–Kazi Magomed pipeline" — 680 km natural gas pipeline; from Mozdok in North Ossetia through Chechnya and Dagestan to Kazi Magomed in Azerbaijan; commissioned 1983; operated by SOCAR and Gazprom; maximum discharge 13 billion cubic meters per year; Azerbaijani section known as Kazi Magomed–Novo Filya or Baku–Novo Filya; Novo Filya gas-metering utility at Russian side of Azerbaijan-Russia border; 2010 reverse-flow Azerbaijani gas to Russia agreement; 1970s Iranian gas supply to southern Caucasus Soviet republics historical contextSputnik News / Global Security archive — "300 Million Cubic Meters a Day? Russia-Iran Pipeline Promises Major Energy Boost" (January 2025)Press TV / Global Security archive — "Iran, Russia agree to transfer gas via Azerbaijan: Minister" (26 April 2025)Andrew Korybko / Substack — "Russia Might Soon Redirect Its Gas Pipeline Plans From China To Iran & India" (early 2026)Silicon Curtain editorial archive — Davydov Balashikha Car Bomb June 2026 Script (9 June 2026)Wikipedia — "2023 Makhachkala gas station explosion" (14 August 2023, historical context)----------

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/-----------

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/-----------

Marathon fundraisers for: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.----------Easter Pysanky Trucks 2026https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/easter-pysanky-trucks-2026Silicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampireshttps://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampires?project=Jonathan%20Fink%20for%20Kupiansk%20Vampires----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/iwihttps://www.patreon.com/iwi----------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/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/iwiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwi/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/iwiPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/iwiBuy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/iwi----------

On the night of May 23 to 24, Russia destroyed the apartment of our author Artem Zakharchenko. Fortunately, Artem and his wife were not injured. But they were left without a home. Could you please share this information with the activist communities in your countries? This family now needs support to rebuild their home and their life from scratch.PayPal of the oldest son, Marco: limark.2mark@gmail.com name: Marko ZakharchenkoFor Ukrainian banking: Посилання на банкуhttps://send.monobank.ua/jar/7sFs5B5MAiНомер картки банки - 4874 1000 3826 9596----------Artem Zakharchenko is a Ukrainian writer, journalist, editor, media analyst and scholar from Kyiv, originally from Chernihiv. He holds a doctorate in social communications and is associated with the Institute of Journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and is head of CAT-UA. His work spans two connected fields: Ukrainian literature and information warfare / strategic narratives. As a novelist, he is the author of Помру за Україну, але це не точно — roughly, I'll Die for Ukraine, But Not for Sure — a 2021 contemporary Ukrainian novel about imprisonment, patriotism, betrayal and the moral costs of war. As a communications researcher, he writes on Russian propaganda, social media, Ukrainian wartime narratives and the struggle for attention in the information space. His 2025 Frontiers article develops the idea of a “connective strategic narrative” in the Russian-Ukrainian war: a narrative formed not only by state elites, but by emotionally engaged social media public. ----------BOOKS: Narratives of Mass Destruction: Tactics and Strategies of Information Warfare (2026)Наративи масового ураження. Тактики і стратегії інформаційної війниПомру за Україну, але це не точноI'll Die for Ukraine, But Not for Sure (2021)----------LINKS:https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/04/18/ukrainian-authorities-are-worried-about-online-disinformation_6668838_4.htmlhttps://internews.ua/en/opportunity/social-cleavages-in-ukraine----------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----------

Ed Bogan is a retired senior CIA Operations Officer and former two-time Chief of Station with 24 years of experience in intelligence operations across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. He served repeatedly in war and conflict zones, including as Chief of Base and in acting chief roles, and later became a public commentator on counter-terrorism, Russian disinformation, intelligence operations and the war in Ukraine.----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/edward-boganhttps://www.thecipherbrief.com/podcasts/around-the-world-with-former-cia-officer-edward-boganhttps://sashaingber.substack.com/p/whats-next-for-ukraine-with-former----------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 Ep350 | 2026-06-11 | BRITAIN UNDEFENDED: John Healey Just Resigned as Defence Secretary Because Starmer and Reeves Refused to Fund the Defence of the United Kingdom — and the Most Dangerous Threat Environment Since the 1930s Has Just Lost Its Most Senior British Champion.Breaking: 11 June 2026 — Healey Quits Over the Defence Investment Plan, the £13 Billion Gap Between What Defence Officials Said the Country Needs and What the Treasury Was Willing to Offer, and the Question Every Allied Capital Is Now Asking — Who, in London, Is Now in Charge of Defending Britain?John Healey — Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom since 5 July 2024, Member of Parliament for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough since 1997, former shadow defence secretary, and the man Keir Starmer brought into government to anchor Britain's defence policy in the most dangerous decade since the 1930s — resigned.----------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 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----------SOURCES:CNN — "John Healey: UK defense secretary resigns over military spending, in fresh blow to Keir Starmer" (11 June 2026) The National — "Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over investment plan that makes UK 'less safe'" (11 June 2026) Wikipedia — "John Healey" — Defence Secretary since 5 July 2024; MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough since 1997 (previously Wentworth/Wentworth and Dearne); Christ's College Cambridge; born 13 February 1960 in Wakefield; junior ministerial positions under Blair and Brown 2001-2010; shadow defence secretary 2020-2024BBC News Live coverage — "Defence Secretary John Healey delivers SDR statement" (2 June 2025) CBS News — "Citing Russia threat, U.K. leader announces military spending boost, including new nuclear-powered submarines" (2 June 2025)NPR — "Why the U.K. prime minister is calling for a bigger military to face Russia" (4 June 2025)The Independent (US/AOL syndication) — "Starmer warned UK faces '1936 moment' as ex-defence chiefs urge spending boost" — Telegraph open letter from three former defence secretaries, retired senior military chiefs, former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove; "hollowed out by years of chronic underfunding"; call for 5% of GDP defence spending; "1936 moment" framing of global conflict likelihood; "Our actions fall dangerously short of matching this rhetoric and of meeting our treaty obligations" verbatimIISS Military Balance 2025 (via Bloomberg/Yahoo) — "UK Unable to Defend Against Ballistic Missile Attack, IISS Warns" (February 2025) AP via Yahoo — "UK to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer says 2 days before Trump meeting" (February 2025) Reuters — "Britain needs to step up defence spending faster, PM Starmer says" (February 2026)Fox News — "'Trump effect' on display as UK's Starmer boosts defense spending on eve of US visit" (February 2025) ----------

Illya Sekirin is a Ukrainian-born, naturalised Canadian volunteer, drone-warfare practitioner and author of Rise of the Machines: Drone Warfare in the Russia–Ukraine War – Tactics, Operations, Strategy. He volunteered to fight for Ukraine in March 2022, trained as a drone operator, served on the front line, worked as a translator and researcher for the Ukrainian General Staff, and later became an unofficial adviser to members of Ukraine's Stavka, the high-command body chaired by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Helion/Casemate also states that Sekirin authored a paper that helped inform Zelenskyy's decision to create Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch. ----------LINKS:https://www.helion.co.uk/people/illya-sekirin.phphttps://soldier.army.mod.uk/issues/jan-26/update/ukraine-drone-pilotBOOK:Rise of the Machines: Drone Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War – Tactics, Operations, StrategyPublication: 2026https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/rise-of-the-machines-drone-warfare-in-the-russia-ukraine-war---tactics-operations-strategy.phphttps://www.amazon.com/Rise-Machines-Russia-Ukraine-Operations-Strategy/dp/1804519707----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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----------

Nigel Gould-Davies is a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London. Between 2010 and 2013 he held senior government relations roles in the international energy industry. Previously he has also served in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where his roles included head of the Economic Section in Moscow, ambassador to Belarus, and project director in the Policy Planning Unit. He is author of Tectonic Politics: Global Political Risk in an Age of Transformation (Brookings, 2019).----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/Nigelgd1https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-gould-davies-5347b51a?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://www.iiss.org/people/russia-and-eurasia/dr-nigel-gould-davies/https://gsas.harvard.edu/person/nigel-gould-daviesBOOKS:Tectonic Politics: Global Political Risk in an Age of Transformation (2019)https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tectonic-Politics-Insights-Critical-International/dp/0815737130https://www.chathamhouse.org/2019/05/tectonic-politics-global-political-risk-age-transformationARTICLES:https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2026/05/the-coming-crisis-in-russias-political-economy/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00396338.2024.2332057https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/12/09/biden-putin-ukraine-appeasement-deterrence-donbass/----------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 Ep349 | 2026-06-10 | A Russian general was deleted, via a car-bomb 400 metres from where another Russian general was eliminated last April. Same suburb. Same pattern. Same message. There is nowhere to hide for Russian war criminals. 9 June 2026 — Damir Davydov, Head of the Missile and Artillery Ammunition Supply Department of the GRAU, Killed by a BMW X3 Bomb in the Aviatorov Microdistrict of Balashikha at 5:30 a.m. — the fourth senior Russian military officer assassinated on Russian soil in eighteen months. ----------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 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----------SOURCES:Meduza — "A year after a Russian general was assassinated in a car bombing outside Moscow, another general is reportedly dead in the same city — in another car bombing" (9 June 2026)UNN (Ukrainian News Network) — "Car explodes in Moscow region – top Russian Ministry of Defense officer killed" (9 June 2026) UA.News — "A topographic officer killed in an explosion in the Moscow region" (9 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Car Explodes Near Moscow in Military District Where Russian General May Have Been Killed" (9 June 2026) RBC-Ukraine — "Russian colonel reportedly killed in car blast near Moscow" (9 June 2026) News.az / UA News — "High-ranking Russian military officer killed in Moscow car bombing" (9 June 2026) Nasha Niva — "High-ranking military officer dies in car explosion in Balashikha near Moscow" (9 June 2026) Daily Kos (citizen journalism via Anton Gerashchenko / ASTRA / MAKS 26 Bluesky sourcing) PBS NewsHour / AP — "Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscow" (22 December 2025) Time magazine — "Russian General Killed in Moscow Car Bomb Attack" (December 2025)BBC News — "Russia detains suspect in car bomb attack that killed general" (April 2025) RFE/RL via Global Security archive — "Russian General Killed In Car Bombing Near Moscow" (25 April 2025) Wikipedia — "Yaroslav Moskalik" — Born 22 August 1966, Angren, Uzbek SSR; died 25 April 2025, Balashikha; rank Lieutenant General; Deputy Chief, Main Operational Directorate of General Staff; killed by remotely-detonated IED in parked car around 10:40 local time----------

2026-06-10 | UPDATES #211 | The question every serious Western analyst should now be asking is not whether the Kerch Bridge will eventually be brought down, but when. And the analytical answer to that question runs through five operational variables.Variable one: Western long-range strike enablers. The Hudson Institute analysis from October 2023 — Bryan Clark and Can Kasapoglu — laid out the case directly: Ukraine needs Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles fired from F-16 fighters with German Taurus KEPD-350 missiles as an alternative payload. The F-16s have been operationally deployed by Ukraine since mid-2024. The Taurus transfer has remained politically blocked by successive German governments. But the matrix of available capabilities has not gone backwards. Ukraine has the F-16s, has access to Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG, has the targeting expertise, and has been progressively improving its ability to deploy these weapons against Russian air-defence umbrellas. The political constraint — Western governments insisting that long-range Western missiles not be used against the Kerch Bridge or other targets inside Crimea proper — has been one of the most damaging restrictions of the war. Lifting that constraint is the single fastest path to the bridge dropping.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: Institute for the Study of War — "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 22, 2026" (22 May 2026)UA.News — "Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics are disrupting supplies to the front lines" (22-23 May 2026) Kyiv Post — "Russia Warns Ukraine Can Strike Key Crimea Supply Route 200 km Behind Front" (early May 2026) Euromaidan Press — "Ukraine wrapped the occupied south in three layers of drones. Russian trucks are burning" (24 May 2026)Defence Matters — "Ukraine's Medium-Range Drone Strikes Put Pressure on Russia's Land Corridor to Crimea" (early May 2026)6. Tochnyi (via Euromaidan Press) — Analytical monthly tracking; Strikes doubled February to March 2026; munitions storage / artillery usage correlation; fuel-targeting / mechanised operations correlationOko Gora (Ukrainian OSINT project) — Geolocated mapping of approximately 50 documented Ukrainian drone strikes on M-14 and H-20 highway logistics over the preceding two months (March-May 2026) — Project name translates as "Mountain Eye"; verification through photographic evidence and Russian milblogger documentationThe War Zone (TWZ) — "Ukraine Strikes At The Heart Of Russia's Highly Defended Kerch Bridge" (3 June 2025)Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine's SBU strikes Crimean Bridge in underwater attack" (3 June 2025) ----------

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: Kyiv Update w/ Konstantin Samoilov: Russia's Economic Collapse, SPIEF Humiliation & Escalation RisksIn Kyiv for his final recording of the trip, Jonathan speaks with Konstantin Samoilov about intensifying strikes on Ukraine and Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep into Russia, fueling tension and political uncertainty. Samoilov says Russian agencies are trying to silence him, reducing his output, and argues Moscow is now targeting English-language critics to protect RT's outward propaganda. They discuss the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as humiliating theater amid visible refinery fires, claims of a rapidly accelerating Russian economic collapse, and the notable absence of central bank head Elvira Nabiullina as a sign of elite infighting. Samoilov cites fuel rationing, falling tax receipts, deficits, and shrinking options, concluding Putin cannot end the war without risking his own downfall and may escalate beyond Ukraine, while Ukraine's victory is likely to be driven by internal Russian clan conflict. Jonathan closes by promoting his edited book, The Dark Heart of Russia.----------CHAPTERS: 01:12 Why Konstantin Went Quiet03:46 Russia Targets English Voices06:55 Potemkin Forum Optics10:07 Economy Enters Acute Phase14:42 Putin Speech Empty Theater19:47 Nabiullina Vanishes22:36 Robots and Fake Volga26:02 Can Propaganda Survive Defeat28:03 Visa Narrative Whiplash31:04 Kursk Under Occupation32:30 Nabiullina And Collapse36:21 Why Putin Cannot Stop41:44 Fuel Crisis Hits Home44:54 Escalation Scenarios48:09 Desperation Over Strategy----------

Bryan Pickens is a former U.S. Army special operations soldier, security contractor, tactical advisor, and Ukraine war veteran. He has served in elite U.S. units, including as a Green Beret in U.S. Army Special Forces and as a Ranger with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He is currently associated with Valoryx Group LLC and is publicly described as a tactical advisor, drone-operations and training specialist, security consultant, and Russian-language proficient former special operator.After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pickens fought alongside Ukrainian special operations forces and became one of the Western veterans arguing that Ukraine's battlefield experience has outpaced much of NATO's current understanding of modern war. In comments cited by Forbes, he said that even with “16 combat deployments,” he had to relearn how to fight in Ukraine, adding that Ukrainian counterparts were teaching him. His recent public commentary focuses heavily on drone warfare, counter-drone defence, electronic warfare, mid-range strike capability, and the urgent need for Western militaries to learn directly from Ukrainian operators. He has warned that cheap drone swarms cannot be sustainably countered with multi-million-dollar interceptors, and has argued that Ukraine can help professionalize Western warfighters in interception, surveillance, strike integration, and counter-electronic warfare. Pickens has also written and co-authored for The Cipher Brief, including on what Washington should learn from Ukraine's battlefield, and has appeared on veteran/security podcasts discussing his U.S. special operations background, Ukraine experience, and tactical lessons from the war.----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/bryan-pickenshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2026/05/15/the-pentagon-is-learning-drone-warfare-from-ukraine/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2026/05/03/japans-terra-drone-bets-on-ukraines-cheap-way-to-stop-shaheds/https://www.thecipherbrief.com/the-future-of-war-is-now-what-washington-needs-to-hear-from-the-battlefield----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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----------

Ralph Goff is a retired senior CIA officer and former intelligence executive, best known as a six-time CIA Chief of Station with a 35-year career in U.S. intelligence. His overseas service included postings and operational work across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and several war zones. He later served as Chief of Operations for Europe and Eurasia and as head of the CIA's National Resources Division, where he worked with senior U.S. private-sector figures in finance, banking, and security.Before joining the CIA, Goff served in the U.S. Army as a Russian linguist and signals intelligence officer on the East German border during the late Cold War, monitoring Soviet forces. After retiring from the CIA in October 2023, he became a public commentator on intelligence, Russia, Ukraine, and great-power competition. He has traveled regularly to Ukraine, met with Ukrainian officials, and argued that Western support for Kyiv has often been too cautious. In a 2025 interview, he said the West had given Ukraine “enough weapons to bleed, not to win,” criticising fear of escalation as a strategic constraint. In 2025, Goff was reportedly selected by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to become Deputy Director for Operations, the post overseeing human intelligence and covert action, but the appointment was later withdrawn. Reporting by Politico and The Washington Post said the reversal surprised many intelligence professionals and was linked by sources to political concerns, including Goff's public support for Ukraine. Today, Goff is known as a forthright advocate for rebuilding U.S. clandestine capabilities, strengthening Western intelligence posture, and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. His public persona combines old-school operations experience, Atlanticist conviction, and a blunt critique of risk-aversion in Western policy.----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/ralph-goffhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-cia-chief-we-gave-ukraine-enough-weapons-to-bleed-not-to-win-r3q0r2fcghttps://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/02/cia-drops-agency-veteran-clandestine-operations-00267346----------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----------

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----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:Ben Hodges on Drone War Acceleration, Crimea's Vulnerability, and How Ukraine Can WinFrom Kyiv, Jonathan interviews retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges amid intensifying Russian strikes, discussing how drone warfare is accelerating faster than Western adaptation and why NATO still struggles to stop drone incursions into its own airspace. Hodges argues Russia's brutal bombing aims to terrorize Ukrainians and pressure Europe but won't be decisive, while Ukraine's long-range precision strikes on oil, gas, shipyards, and logistics can create faster strategic effects by degrading Russia's war economy and public will. They describe Russia's vast territory as a vulnerability, cite a Ukrainian precision strike on Saint Petersburg, and argue Crimea is decisive terrain that Ukraine can recover by isolating it, degrading the Kerch Bridge's utility, and making occupation untenable. They criticize Western self-deterrence and nuclear fear, challenge myths of infinite Russian manpower, stress learning from Ukraine's battlefield innovations, and a fundraiser for vampire drones and Jonathan's upcoming book, The Dark Heart of Russia.----------CHAPTERS:02:23 Drone War Catch Up04:57 Why Strikes Intensify09:53 Ukraine Hits Deep Russia11:58 Vampire Drones Appeal13:29 Crimea Under Siege18:23 West Strategy and Nukes22:48 Oil Strikes and Will26:26 Russia Manpower Myths30:04 NATO Learns From Ukraine34:55 Real Time Training Pipeline39:44 Crimea Victory Wrap Up----------

Silicon Bites Ep346 | 2026-06-04 | Some uninvited guests from HUR, the Ukrainian intelligence services have decided to decorate the backdrop to Putin's prestigious economic forum in St Petersburg. And it looks truly beautiful. I love the sight of Russia burning in the morning, especially when it's so humiliating for the killer gnome in the Kremlin. Mos Eisley on the Neva: how Putin's prestige forum opened this morning with a massive fire on its horizon, an American delegation of influencers, cranks, and trump appointees inside, and Russia's largest northwestern oil terminal burning six kilometres from the conference hall.----------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 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----------SOURCES:TASS — "29th International Economic Forum begins its work in St. Petersburg" (3 June 2026) TASS — "About thirty US companies to attend SPIEF 2026 — AmCham" (2 June 2026)Interfax — "St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to open June 3" (2 June 2026) EconoTimes — "Putin's 'Russian Davos' Draws U.S. Influencers, Officials, and Global Business Figures Amid Economic Struggles" (3 June 2026) NEXTA (X / Twitter) — Documentation of Andrew Tate arrival in St Petersburg "welcomed with honours at the airport"; Gerhard Schröder also in Russia ahead of forum; Candace Owens framing (1 June 2026)Meduza — "Well, He's a Right-Wing Extremist" (30 May 2026) — SPIEF speakers' list including "people with 'scandalous reputations in their homeland'"; Candace Owens detail; far-right participation framework; Business Software Forum contextPravda.Ru / Pravda EN — "Presidents and Senior Officials From More Than 70 Countries to Join SPIEF" (2 June 2026) TASS — "Some 20,000 people from over 100 countries to take part in SPIEF 2026 — Kremlin aide" (2 June 2026) Kyiv Independent — "Fire, smoke greet Putin's Economic Forum as Ukraine strikes St. Petersburg oil terminal in major attack" (3 June 2026) RBC-Ukraine — "Drones strike oil terminal in St. Petersburg, triggering massive fire" (3 June 2026) ----------

2026-06-01 | UPDATES #210 | Is the Kerch Bridge about to fall? The siege of Crimea deepens — and why the bridge is the final edge of the geometry of defeat for Putin. Russian propagandists sense that something is coming, and they can't stop asking – when will the bridge come down? ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: Institute for the Study of War — "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 22, 2026" (22 May 2026)UA.News — "Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics are disrupting supplies to the front lines" (22-23 May 2026) Kyiv Post — "Russia Warns Ukraine Can Strike Key Crimea Supply Route 200 km Behind Front" (early May 2026) Euromaidan Press — "Ukraine wrapped the occupied south in three layers of drones. Russian trucks are burning" (24 May 2026)Defence Matters — "Ukraine's Medium-Range Drone Strikes Put Pressure on Russia's Land Corridor to Crimea" (early May 2026)6. Tochnyi (via Euromaidan Press) — Analytical monthly tracking; Strikes doubled February to March 2026; munitions storage / artillery usage correlation; fuel-targeting / mechanised operations correlationOko Gora (Ukrainian OSINT project) — Geolocated mapping of approximately 50 documented Ukrainian drone strikes on M-14 and H-20 highway logistics over the preceding two months (March-May 2026) — Project name translates as "Mountain Eye"; verification through photographic evidence and Russian milblogger documentationThe War Zone (TWZ) — "Ukraine Strikes At The Heart Of Russia's Highly Defended Kerch Bridge" (3 June 2025)Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine's SBU strikes Crimean Bridge in underwater attack" (3 June 2025) Defence Blog — "Ukraine's Navy strikes two Russian patrol boats guarding the Kerch Bridge" (30 April 2026) Ukrainska Pravda — "Ukrainian forces damage Russian boats guarding Kerch Bridge" (30 April 2026) Militarnyi — "Magura naval drones were involved in the attack on the Crimean bridge" (June 2025)----------

Preston Stewart is a highly successful YouTube host, who makes videos about the military, national security and foreign affairs. His desire is to make these topics more accessible and easier for the public to understand. He studied International Relations and Terrorism at West Point and from there entered the Army as a Field Artillery officer. Today, he calls Murfreesboro, Tennessee home.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@PrestonStewart https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonstewart1/ https://x.com/prestonstew_https://www.patreon.com/prestonstewhttps://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstewhttps://x.com/prestonstew_https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_ UNCLASSIFIED Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUnclassifiedPodhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=917d2d83cea844f6&nd=1&dlsi=afc05340aab14acc----------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 Ep345 | 2026-06-02 | Every raid on Kyiv is a strategic win for the Kremlin, because the Western world tolerates this barbarism on its doorstep. I'm walking through Kyiv again.Tuesday morning. June 2nd.I was in Ukraine during the Oreshnik strikes and the destruction of the Chornobyl Museum.Russia did it again.Last night.73 missiles.656 drones.Across all of Ukraine.----------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 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----------SOURCES:----------

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----------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----------

Andrea Chalupa is a Brooklyn-based journalist, author, and filmmaker with an unwavering belief in the power of unreasonable women. As the host and producer of the acclaimed podcast Gaslit Nation—a Webby Award Honoree—Andrea is a powerful advocate for civic action, confronting authoritarianism, corruption, and injustice head-on. She is a frequent speaker on resisting extremism and safeguarding democracy, and her books, films, podcasts, and insights have been featured on MSNBC, The New York Times, PBS, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and elsewhere.----------LINKS:https://www.andreachalupa.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Chalupahttps://www.instagram.com/andreachalupa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/achalupa/https://x.com/AndreaChalupahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt6828390/----------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----------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----------

Marathon fundraisers for:Easter Pysanky Trucks 2026https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/easter-pysanky-trucks-2026Silicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampireshttps://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampires?project=Jonathan%20Fink%20for%20Kupiansk%20Vampires----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/iwihttps://www.patreon.com/iwi----------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/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/iwiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwi/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/iwiPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/iwiBuy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/iwi----------

Silicon Bites Ep344 | 2026-05-29 | The Institute for the Study of War's assessments through May 2026 have documented, with consistent emphasis, that Russia is "escalating its efforts to set informational conditions for possible future aggression against the Baltic states." The 19-21 May 2026 unannounced Russian strategic nuclear exercises, which ISW characterised as "using unannounced strategic nuclear exercises to posture strength against Ukraine's allies and distract from mounting battlefield weaknesses," coincided with Putin's Beijing summit and the Kallas-acknowledged Russian effort to "divide Ukraine from its European partners and diminish support for Ukraine's defensive effort." The September 2025 incursion of three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets into Estonian airspace for 12 minutes without permission was, in Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's framing, "a blatant, reckless, and flagrant" violation. The German Navy's vice admiral Jan Christian Kaack told The Times this month that NATO faces a "rapid threat" from Russia in the Baltic Sea, and that "a possible escalation will occur in the maritime domain."----------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 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----------SOURCES:----------

2026-05-31 | UPDATES #209 | A Russian drone hits a Romanian apartment block 72 hours after trump pulled us forces from NATO — what are the chances this was an accident, when it aligns in so many requests with the doctrine and psychology of Russian military practice as seen during this war. Mainstream media and analysts will wait for conclusive evidence – which may never be forthcoming, as Russia may be aiming for plausible deniability around its drone provocation. But I argue that we do not have the luxury to dismiss the idea this was an intentional strike. If we do, and fail to ask the right questions, and to make the right response, then Russia will chalk it up to a strategic win, a successful hybrid and kinetic operation, and will ratchet up to the next level. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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 / US News — "Romania Says Russian Drone Hit Block of Flats in Galati Injuring Two" (29 May 2026) CNN — "NATO members condemn Russia after drone slams into Romania apartment building, wounding two" (29 May 2026)NBC News — "Drone hits Romania apartment block during Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine" (29 May 2026)CNBC — "Russian drone hits apartment block in NATO state Romania" (29 May 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Russian Drone Hits Apartment Building in NATO Member Romania During Strike Near Ukrainian Border" (29 May 2026) The Journal (Ireland) — "EU and Nato condemn 'reckless' Russia after drone hits apartment block in Romania" (29 May 2026) News On Air (India) — "NATO Jets Scrambled as Russian Drone Makes Deepest Incursion Into Romanian Airspace" (25 November 2025)News On Air (India) — "NATO Heightens Security After Russian Drone Breaches Romanian Airspace Amid Ukraine Strikes" (14 September 2025) NBC News — "Putin is testing NATO's defenses. How will it respond?" (September 2025)----------

2026-05-28 | UPDATES #208 | How the May 26th Pentagon announcement may just have handed Putin the greatest strategic gift of the 21st century. A prize that barely could have been conceived of before Trump returned to the White House. 26–27 May 2026 — a third of us jets pulled from NATO, destroyers cut, every submarine withdrawn, drones slashed — and Russian forces drilling for Baltic operations in the same week. As I predicted in 2025, Europe is now on its own. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: Der Spiegel (via Military Times) — "Report: US to cut strategic bombers and warships available to NATO in a crisis" (26 May 2026)RT — "US plans to slash contributions to NATO – Spiegel" (26 May 2026) Daily Mail (via PapaLinc/Intel Drop syndication) — "Trump's secret NATO ultimatum sparks panic as US 'pulls jets, bombers and EVERY submarine from Europe'" (26-27 May 2026)CNN Politics — Natasha Bertrand, "US military withdrawing some troops from Eastern Europe" (29 October 2025) The Hill / Yahoo News — "GOP chairs blast Trump's move to pull troops from Romania" (October 2025) CBS News — "Trump administration's Europe troop drawdown fuels concern amid NATO allies, draws fire even from Republicans" (October 2025) — Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur statement on continued US commitment; Pentagon's "force posture adjustment will not change the security environment in Europe" framing; "primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe" languagePBS NewsHour / AP — "U.S. to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in next 6 to 12 months" (May 2026)CNN Politics — "Trump is cutting the numbers of US troops in Europe. Here's how" (14 May 2026)Fox News — "Congress moves block Pentagon from cutting US troops Europe South Korea" (late 2025/early 2026) House Armed Services Committee / Wicker.senate.gov — "Chairmen of Senate and House Armed Services Committees: We Strongly Oppose the Pentagon's Decision to Scale Back the U.S. Troop Presence in Romania" (29 October 2025) Yahoo News / The Hill — "Pentagon cuts troops in Eastern Europe, prompting rare pushback by GOP lawmakers" (October-November 2025) ----------

2026-05-27 | UPDATES #207 | Putin is losing. Every authoritarian decisional principle, every historical precedent, every piece of strategic-studies literature on cornered-dictator behaviour says the same thing. When a dictator perceives that the war he started is unsalvageable on his current trajectory, he escalates. This is why Europe needs to send a clear signal, push back hard and define red lines. A desperate dictator, detached from reality and strategic consequences is dangerous. Now we must contain him, and our response needs to punch back so hard, that he cannot ignore the signal, so that his minions cannot explain it away or hide the truth from him. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: National Security Journal — "'Putin Has Cancer': The Headline That Just Won't Go Away" (early May 2026) Global Security archive — "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin - Health" — Comprehensive historical record of Putin health speculation; Valdai Club November 2024 four-hour appearance with 40+ instances of mispronouncing words, stammering, and misspeaking while reading from a paper; Peskov's "fantastic capacity for work" framing; long-standing pattern of health-information controlFox News / Reuters / AP — "Putin says health 'fine' after two-day checkup, refuses blood pressure test at AI event: report" (November 2025) UNITED24 Media — "Why Russia Fires Ballistic Nuclear Capable Oreshnik Missile in Massive Attack Against Ukraine" (24 May 2026) Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Jack Watling, "Russia is Losing – Time for Putin's 2026 Hybrid Escalation" (December 2025) Institute for the Study of War — "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 19, 2026" (19 May 2026) Atlantic Council — "Toplines: Deterring Putin's aggression against NATO" (March 2026) — Five Russian-aggression scenarios in Nordic-Baltic region; NATO posture inadequate; recommendation framework: place NATO brigades in Nordic-Baltic per Madrid 2022 promise; BALTOPS-type comprehensive exercise schedule for Svalbard/Åland; mobilise NATO alliance and Europe writ largeBelfer Center (Harvard) — "Russian Threats to NATO's Eastern Flank: Scenarios, Strategy, and Policy for European Security" (February 2026) Foreign Policy — "I Attacked NATO as Russia's Commander in a War Game" (15 May 2026)NBC News — "Putin is testing NATO's defenses. How will it respond?" (September 2025) ----------

Elvira Bary is an author, researcher, and creator working at the intersection of storytelling, self-discovery, and political insight. She also runs an insightful YouTube channel on Russian politics, history, and culture, where she explores how Russia's history continues to shape the choices that the country makes today. Elvira writes historical fiction and dark fantasy rooted in Russian history and imagination, blending rich detail with unexpected twists, very much in accordance with Russian history itself, narrative that are being reshaped and challenged in the light of Putin's decision to invade Ukraine full-scale in 2022.----------LINKS:https://elvirabary.com/about-elvira/ https://www.youtube.com/@elvirabary https://x.com/elvirabary ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: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----------DESCRIPTION:Elvira Bary on Russia's “Fungi” Power Structure, War Economy, and Why Her Novel Can't Be Published in RussiaElvira Bary, an author and researcher focused on Russian politics and culture, discusses her new Russian-language novel about the war and why publishing it in Russia would risk prison for anyone involved. She explains Russian authoritarian power as a “fungi” network sustained by corruption, complicity, and loyalty enforced through shared criminality, illustrating it with an example involving RZD kickbacks. The novel follows a corrupt elite mother who sends her daughter to Harvard, only for the daughter to volunteer for Ukraine, exposing the limits of money and connections and enabling a portrayal of Russian and Ukrainian society and wartime realities. Bary describes widespread fear, repression, and “infantilization” in Russia, argues for bottom-up local identity as a basis for democracy, and says Putin's system now depends on a war economy that cannot simply stop. ----------

2026-05-26 | UPDATES #206 | DEMENTED AND DANGEROUS: Why the Putin stumbling through May 2026 may be the most lethal Putin of the entire war. As his voice fails – and he can't even summon the strength to shout ‘Hurrah', as the footage recently suppressed by the Kremlin attest to, it seems that Putin is becoming less rational, more visibly angry, frustrated, and possibly confused. He is certainly detached from reality to a large degree, because of the skewed information he is receiving from sycophants and lackeys within the vertical of power. No one wants to tell demented grandpa the truth – in case they feel his wrath, as his war failures accelerate. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: National Security Journal — "'Putin Has Cancer': The Headline That Just Won't Go Away" (early May 2026) Global Security archive — "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin - Health" — Comprehensive historical record of Putin health speculation; Valdai Club November 2024 four-hour appearance with 40+ instances of mispronouncing words, stammering, and misspeaking while reading from a paper; Peskov's "fantastic capacity for work" framing; long-standing pattern of health-information controlFox News / Reuters / AP — "Putin says health 'fine' after two-day checkup, refuses blood pressure test at AI event: report" (November 2025) UNITED24 Media — "Why Russia Fires Ballistic Nuclear Capable Oreshnik Missile in Massive Attack Against Ukraine" (24 May 2026) Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Jack Watling, "Russia is Losing – Time for Putin's 2026 Hybrid Escalation" (December 2025) Institute for the Study of War — "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 19, 2026" (19 May 2026) Atlantic Council — "Toplines: Deterring Putin's aggression against NATO" (March 2026) — Five Russian-aggression scenarios in Nordic-Baltic region; NATO posture inadequate; recommendation framework: place NATO brigades in Nordic-Baltic per Madrid 2022 promise; BALTOPS-type comprehensive exercise schedule for Svalbard/Åland; mobilise NATO alliance and Europe writ largeBelfer Center (Harvard) — "Russian Threats to NATO's Eastern Flank: Scenarios, Strategy, and Policy for European Security" (February 2026) Foreign Policy — "I Attacked NATO as Russia's Commander in a War Game" (15 May 2026)NBC News — "Putin is testing NATO's defenses. How will it respond?" (September 2025) ----------

Silicon Bites Ep343 | 2026-05-26 | The attacks on Kyiv, the largest of the war over a week ago, and the most culturally destructive just days ago. Let us walk through what Russia destroyed in the 23-24 May strike. Because the target list is the moral indictment of the entire operation.----------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 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----------SOURCES:----------

Liubov Velychko is a Ukrainian investigative journalist with over 15 years of experience uncovering corruption, crime, and human rights violations. She Specializes in exposing disinformation campaigns, and has conducted numerous investigations into Russian propaganda, revealing the networks behind its spread and dismantling the information operations orchestrated by Russian intelligence agencies.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-press/ https://www.rusi.org/people/velychkohttps://x.com/VelychkoLiubovhttps://www.occrp.org/en/people/lyubov-velychkohttps://mind.ua/en/author/1158-liubov-velychko----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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----------

Livestream with Pyotr Kurzin---------Pyotr Kurzin is host of The Global Gambit podcast, as is an historian of great power politics and the Cold War. He also has Russian British heritage, which gives him a close perspective on the topic. ----------LINKS: @PKurzin https://www.linkedin.com/in/pyotrkurzin/ ----------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 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/-----------

Phil Ittner is a veteran broadcast journalist now working independently in Ukraine. Currently he's based in Kyiv and produces a weekly interview podcast "On the Edge". Disillusioned with how mainstream media was covering the historic war in Ukraine, Phil decided he had to step in and bring a professional and credible perspective to reporting from Ukraine. ----------LINKS: @PhilipIttner https://x.com/IttnerPhiliphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-ittner-4180271a/https://philipittner.com/about/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/45-the-big-interview-philip-ittner-on-the-realities/id1617276298?i=1000610636024----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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 Ep342 | 2026-05-24 | How a $30 million Russian terror weapon destroyed a row garages. This is absolutely symbolic of Putin senseless war, that has no strategic purpose, beyond control and cruelty, and has singularly failed to meet even its own pointless objectives. But apart from the performative terror, the array of drones and missiles Russia flung at the capital Kyiv, did inflict widespread damage, and loss of property, including Kyiv's Chornobyl Museum, and a historic market that has resonance for many people that live in, or who grew up in Kyiv. ----------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 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----------SOURCES:----------

2026-05-24 | UPDATES #206 | The shame of the USSR, an ecological and political disaster that precipitated its end. How a Soviet lie at reactor four killed tens of thousands — and then killed the USSR. There was a sentence spoken by a Ukrainian liquidator at the Chornobyl memorial ceremony that resonated. The man who said it is one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 600,000-strong liquidator force the Soviet Union mobilised between 1986 and 1990 to clean up after the worst civilian nuclear disaster in human history. He worked at the plant. He saw friends die. He retired early from disability. He returned this week, at his own expense, to honour the dead. And speaking to Al Jazeera at the foot of the liquidators' monument inside the exclusion zone, he said this:"In many ways, the independence of Ukraine was born on April 26, 1986, in Chornobyl. Without their heroism, an independent Ukraine might not even exist today."----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: Al Jazeera — "Chornobyl's surviving 'liquidators' return 40 years after nuclear disaster" (26 April 2026)The Conversation — "Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster, its legacy still resonates" — David Marples and Cynthia Weber (April 2026) The Moscow Times (Opinion) — "40 Years Later, Chernobyl Remains a Lesson in the Unthinkable" — Charles Digges, Bellona (26 April 2026) Washington Post — "40 years after Chernobyl, war brings new rounds of disaster and displacement" (26 April 2026)Washington Post — "Despite Russia's war, one Ukrainian city still gathers for midnight Chernobyl vigil" (26 April 2026) Euronews — "On 40th Chernobyl disaster anniversary, Zelenskyy accuses Russia of committing 'nuclear terrorism'" (26 April 2026) PBS NewsHour — "Strikes kill at least 16 as Chernobyl anniversary highlights nuclear risks of Russia-Ukraine war" (26 April 2026)CBC News / Reuters — "Ukraine marks 40th Chornobyl anniversary amid fears war with Russia could repeat disaster" (26 April 2026) South Carolina ETV / History In A Nutshell — "The Chernobyl Disaster 40th Anniversary Special" (23 April 2026)George W. Bush Presidential Center — "The cost of lies: Chornobyl at 40" (24 April 2026)National Security Archive / George Washington University — "Top Secret Chernobyl: The Nuclear Disaster through the Eyes of the Soviet Politburo, KGB, and U.S. Intelligence" (2019)NATO Association of Canada — "Hiding Truth at All Costs: Revisiting the Chernobyl Disaster" Keele University analysis — "Chernobyl and USSR" — Glasnost contradiction; May Day parades despite radiation; Gorbachev "malicious lies" May 14; "highly immoral campaign"; Swedish discovery; risk society concept----------

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----------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----------

Stephanie Baker is a Senior Writer at Bloomberg, covering the intersection of business and politics. She has also written for The Moscow Times and Radio Free Europe. Stephanie is author of a fantastic book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. It tells the story of how a furious financial war unfolded following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, from seizing superyachts to manipulating the global price of oil to blocking the sale of military technology -- a series of unprecedented sanctions that have radically rearranged global alliances.----------LINKS: Twitter: @stephanibakerhttps://stephaniebakerwriter.com/ ----------BOOKS:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Punishing-Putin/Stephanie-Baker/9781668050583https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/punishing-putin-inside-the-global-economic-war-to-bring-down-russia-stephanie-baker?variant=40921316196430----------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----------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: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----------

Silicon Bites Ep341 | 2026-05-19 | We have a habit of creating weapons, figurative and literal, that can be turned to beat us, manipulate us, and shape our cognitive space, in ways that betray our own interests. Social media is one – now the playground of grifters, tyrants, kleptocrats and tech fascists. Another is the concept of ‘Good Russians'. There are no good Russians – not because there are not some Russians resisting their regime, or others that take on personal responsibility for their regime's crimes. There are some. I know many of them, and do not want to malign their efforts. There are no good Russians, because this is a horrible concept that cannot clearly be defined, and means different things to different people. It is subjective, emotive, vague and open to massive manipulation. I propose an alternative, useful versus useless Russians. Also, through brainwashing, learned helplessness, and the empathy bypass they have undergone over decade, no centuries even, there are very, very few Russians that can be called useful.----------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 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----------SOURCES:Atlantic Council — Peter Dickinson, "Ukraine's military success is exposing the myth of inevitable Russian victory" (April 2026) Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Jack Watling, "Russia's Aggression in Ukraine Will Persist Through 2026" (February 2026)Mick Ryan's Strategic Notebook (Substack) — "Whose Victory Day?" (May 2026) Wikipedia / scholarly source — "Krymnash" entry — Russian "Crimea is ours" 2014 propaganda slogan; Ukrainian ironic reappropriation; scholar Mikhail Suslov on meme evolution; 2015 polling that 52% of Russians considered "Krymnash" a symbol of national "pride and revival"Al Jazeera — "Ukraine's latest weapon in the war: Jokes" (September 2022) The Conversation — "Ctrl-alt-defy: How Ukrainians have used memes to counter Russia's propaganda machine" (December 2025-February 2026)Wikipedia — "Executed Renaissance" (current) — Розстріляне відродження; Yuriy Lavrinenko anthology Paris 1959; 223 writers arrested or executed; ~300 Ukrainian intellectuals executed at Sandarmokh between 27 October and 4 November 1937; 30,000 intellectuals repressed; Soviet "nativization" policy 1920s collapse; 1930 Union for the Liberation of Ukraine show trial----------

Shaun Pinner is a former British soldier and Ukrainian Marine. He has written an extraordinary first-hand account of the war in Ukraine, his capture, imprisonment, and torture by the Russian invaders. Shaun was a retired and decorated British soldier, living peacefully in Mariupol with his Ukrainian family. But the full-scale war began, and after fighting alongside Ukrainian army colleagues, he found himself imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine, and embarking on an unexpected and unimaginable fight for survival. After the horrors of frontline fighting, Shaun had to survive his capture by Russian soldiers, and his removal to a Black Site – an off-grid FSB prison operating outside all human rights conventions – where he was subjected to a campaign of torture by Putin's secret police.----------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----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/olddog100uahttps://www.facebook.com/snowy5599https://www.instagram.com/snowy_ua/https://linktr.ee/old_dog_uahttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKJQYBPRV6YNL----------BOOKS:Live. Fight. Survive.: An ex-British soldier's account of courage, resistance and defiance fighting for Ukraine against Russia Paperback (2023)by Shaun Pinner (Author)----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/----------DESCRIPTION: Shaun Pinner on Captivity, Mariupol, and the Next Front: Russia's Cognitive War Against Ukraine and the WestJonathan Fink is joined by former Ukrainian marine POW Shaun Pinner, who fought for Mariupol, survived Russian captivity and torture, and now uses YouTube, Substack, and a book to inform both Western and Ukrainian audiences. Pinner describes shifting from combat to journalism after rehab, injury, and family commitments, and explains the “media wall” between Western narratives and Ukrainian realities, including the exclusion of pro-Ukrainian Russian-speaking Ukrainians. They promote a fundraiser to buy “vampire” drones for the Khartia unit and discuss sustaining and expanding pro-Ukraine engagement, especially among younger demographics. Pinner recounts efforts to reach North American media, warns about Russian propaganda and “neutrality,” and argues the war is increasingly cognitive and political, with Russia laundering its reputation internationally while destabilizing democracies. He outlines why a Russian victory would threaten NATO and highlights hope in a special tribunal and his lawsuit setting precedent for claims against the Russian state.----------CHAPTERS:01:05 From POW to Creator03:29 Breaking Media Narratives05:51 Vampire Drone Fundraiser07:06 Growing the Pro Ukraine Bubble09:20 Tours and Genocide Reality15:20 Soundbites and Propaganda21:17 Cognitive Warfare Front27:13 Debunking Ukraine Myths33:59 Why Russia Threatens All42:51 Justice and Tribunal Hope----------

Silicon Bites Ep339 | 2026-05-18 | Apparently, Taiwan is up for negotiation. But what is Trump's price – is it personal profit, or U.S. national interest that this betrayal will serve? How Trump came back from Beijing and put a $14 billion arms package — and an island democracy — 'up for negotiation'", while kowtowing to a communist dictator. I must ask, Americans are you tired of the endless winning yet? And a small reminder – Ukrainian had multiple revolutions triggered by a lot less than this grifter clown is doing. He's dismantling American soft power, hard power, alliances, security architecture, economy, governance in real time, without much apparent pushback. ----------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 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----------SOURCES:Axios — "Trump waffles on $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after talking to China's Xi" (15 May 2026) Time — "Trump Leaves U.S. Support for Taiwan Uncertain After Beijing Visit" (16 May 2026)CNN Politics — "May 14-15, 2026 — Trump's China state visit and meetings with Xi Jinping" (15 May 2026)PBS NewsHour — "Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit aimed at steadying US-China ties" (15 May 2026)CNBC — "Xi warns Trump: Mishandling Taiwan will put U.S.-China relationship in 'great jeopardy'" (14 May 2026)CNN Politics — "Taiwan anxiously eyes Trump's summit in China, with $14 billion in US arms sales up in the air" (13 May 2026) MSNBC / Rachel Maddow Blog — "Despite the hype, Trump leaves China empty-handed and no better off than he was before" (15 May 2026) Wikipedia — "Trump Always Chickens Out" (current) — Robert Armstrong / Financial Times May 2025 coinage; Ukraine application ("Trump suggested that the onus was now on Ukraine to give up territory"); Greenland, NATO tariffs, Iran applications; EACO/EUCO variants; pattern of adversaries learning to exploit the reversal patternCBS News — "Trump was asked about the 'TACO' trade and called it a 'nasty question'" (May 2025)South China Morning Post — "From 'Taco' to 'Nacho': the new buzzword on Wall Street as Trump preps for China trip" (May 2026) AFP / GPS Daily — "Rubio rejects US abandoning Taiwan for China deal" (October 2025) — Rubio: "If what people are worried about is we're going to get some trade deal... in exchange for walking away from Taiwan, no one is contemplating that"; longstanding US policy framework; Trump's prior doubt that China would invadeAInvest / Times of India — "U.S.-China Trade Pact Omits Taiwan, Leaving Strategic Tensions Unresolved" (November 2025)----------

Jake Broe is a United States Air Force veteran who served for six years as a Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer. But you may know him better as one of the most prominent voices on YouTube throughout the war, someone with absolute moral clarity about who the victim of the war is – spoilers, it's Ukraine – and who brings direct military experience to his detailed analysis of the unfolding conflict. Do please subscribe to his channel for videos updates on the war in Ukraine as well as conversations with engaging speakers, expert guests, and other YouTubers.----------LINKS: @JakeBroe https://www.youtube.com/@JakeBroe https://twitter.com/RealJakeBroehttps://www.instagram.com/jakebroe/https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakebroehttps://www.patreon.com/join/jakebroe----------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----------DESCRIPTION: ----------CHAPTERS:----------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.org----------

2026-05-17 | UPDATES #204 | This is the most genuinely shocking element of the four. Because Tulsi Gabbard's biolabs investigation is the formal validation, by the US intelligence apparatus itself, of what was officially classified as Kremlin disinformation in 2022.The chronology, captured across the New York Post, RT, the Pravda network, Newsweek, and the Wikipedia summary of the Ukraine bioweapons conspiracy theory:In March 2022, two weeks into Russia's full-scale invasion, the Russian Defence Ministry alleged that the United States was operating "secret biolabs" in Ukraine developing biological weapons. The claim was, at that point, comprehensively rejected by Western institutions. The Pentagon stated explicitly that its biological research in Ukraine focused on improving public health and agricultural safety. The New York Times described the Russian claim as "a baseless theory." NPR described it as "a lurid and difficult to believe claim." The Guardian, CBS News, Bloomberg, and others called it "a conspiracy theory." The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the United Nations, the WHO, and Russian scientists themselves — including Russian scientists inside Russia — all rejected the bioweapons claim as Kremlin disinformation produced to retrospectively justify the invasion.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------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.----------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: ----------

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----------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----------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:----------CHAPTERS:----------