Podcasts about Kharkiv

President Zelensky has condemned the latest deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine, ahead of his talks with President Trump and European leaders in Washington. Mr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out what he called demonstrative killings to 'humiliate diplomatic efforts' to end the war. Ukraine says at least ten people have been killed in strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.Also the Egyptian foreign minister and the Palestinian prime minister are visiting the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to highlight the need for more food aid to get through. We have an interview with the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa.And Croatian ultra-nationalist mega-gig exposes divided society.(Photo: A residential area damaged by strikes in Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine, on Monday. Credit: EPA)

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A Russian drone attack hit a residential area in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv as the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was preparing for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington later on Monday. The Russian air force said it launched 140 drones against Ukraine overnight, the largest total recorded in a single night since Aug. 4.Trump said on Monday that he would sign an executive order ahead of next year's midterm elections as part of what he called "a movement" targeting mail-in balloting and voting machines across the country.

Edition No226 | 18-08-2025 - Oil and Omissions: the Alaska Summit and the Business of War. The curtain has dropped on the Alaska summit, but the analysis goes on – especially as there's a sequel, in the meeting of Zelenskyy and European leaders with Trump in Washington today. But is it oil that greased the wheels of the Alaska summit, and not peace. But like it's oil that is greasing the gears of war, but perpetuating the Kremlin's war machine? We dive into oil deals, Kremlin ploys, and why this summit's headline theme of peace may have in fact been a smokescreen for the real agenda – cut deals with Putin, agreed to lift sanctions, and push Ukraine into a disadvantageous and dangerous peace as quickly as possible. Could it be that both Trump and Putin need to rehabilitate the Russian regime as quickly as possible to get the black gold flowing as quickly as possible, as well as the dollars? War Rages in Kharkiv While the Alaska Summit Glitters with a false promise of fool's gold. The noise of the summit had barely cooled, and already Kharkiv was aflame. On August 18, Russia unleashed drone and missile attacks that killed civilians—including children—just as America's president boarded Air Force One. “Russia escalated… launching a major missile and drone attack that killed at least 10 civilians—including children…” (The Washington Post)Meanwhile, Zelensky warned: “Moscow is deliberately escalating attacks to undermine diplomatic efforts.” (The Guardian)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Washington Post, Reuters, AP coverage of post‑summit attacks on Kharkiv and summit context The Guardian on Putin's Donbas demandsTIME on unchanged Russian objectives (The Washington Post)Summit outcome analysis: Alaska shift, vague peace focus (AP News)Reuters on oil price stabilization post-summit (Reuters)FT and Economist experts on Russian economy strain (Financial Times)Business Insider & Reuters on oil revenue drop and India tariffsOECD/Economics Observatory analysis on sanctions efficacy (Economics Observatory)Reuters on Exxon option for Sakhalin‑1 (Wikipedia)Byline Times/Forbes on Antarctic oil speculation ----------DESCRIPTION:The Alaska Summit: Oil, War, and Double StandardsIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the underlying motives and outcomes of the Alaska Summit. Was it really about peace, or was oil the driving force? The video examines the purported business deals, Kremlin strategies, and the political maneuvers surrounding the summit. We also cover recent escalation in Ukraine and how the war is being sustained by oil revenues. Trump and Putin's roles, the economic implications, and the moral double standards in the international community are highlighted. We discuss the critical importance of enforcing sanctions to cut off Russia's financial lifeline and end the war.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Gratitude00:40 The Real Agenda of the Alaska Summit01:55 Russia's Escalation and Ukraine's Struggle03:23 The Double Standards of the Summit05:43 Oil and Economic Warfare13:06 Ukraine's Counteroffensive on Oil14:30 Trump's Blame Game and Its Consequences----------

Strike by Air Canada flight attendants is illegal, Canadian Industrial Relations Board rules.Key European allies will join Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington today for meeting with US President Donald Trump.At least 5 people are dead after a Russian air strike on Kharkiv.Fate of federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will be decided in by-election in Alberta riding of Battle River - Crowfoot.CBC investigation finds Norval Morrisseau's family and estate representative may have played a role in art fraud, according to court documents. 'Tradwife' and 'delulu' among new words added to Cambridge Dictionary.

August 16, 2025; 7am: On Friday, President Trump hosted President Putin in Alaska to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine with the hopes of brokering a peace deal. However, the nearly three-hour meeting ended without a ceasefire or peace agreement. Now, just hours after the summit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced his plans to travel to Washington on Monday. Richard Haass and Celeste Wallander join “The Weekend” to discuss. Then, Richard Engel joins “The Weekend” from Kharkiv, Ukraine, with reaction from the region.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Ahead of the Trump / Putin meeting in Alaska, we ask what's happened to Ukraine's missing children? Ukraine says thousands have been taken by Russian forces - many indoctrinated in Russian military schools – and some are now fighting on the frontline against their home country.Also in the programme: what are Israelis now thinking and saying about the war in Gaza – and how well informed are people about the conflict? Plus the good news that medication for ADHD may also reduce suicidal behaviours and substance misuse, and even make people less likely to have transport accidents and commit crime.(IMAGE: Children's handprints decorate the wall of the culture centre of the Ukrainian frontline village of Kalynove, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, April 11, 2025 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura)

As Alaska awaits the arrival tomorrow of the US and Russian Presidents, we're in Anchorage for a preview of their summit - and hear what one Ukrainian woman in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv expects from it.Also on the programme:Why has the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly decided to hike the price of the weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK?Israel says it will push ahead with plans to build more settlements in the West Bank. We have Palestinian reaction.And the A-level student spending results day evening at her local pub - because she runs it. We speak to the UK's youngest pub landlady.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are due to meet in the US state of Alaska on Friday, in what is arguably the most significant diplomatic development since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of the summit, the American president confirmed reports that his administration is preparing a peace proposal involving territory swaps, despite Ukraine's insistence that it will not accept any changes to its recognised borders. So, without the buy-in of Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies, can any concrete developments emerge from bilateral discussions between Washington and Moscow?This week, Victoria and Vitaly consider why Alaska has been selected to host the talks, and what might actually be on the table. Plus, we're joined by two Ukrainians from the north-eastern Kharkiv region - Logan who is a soldier, and Nataliya who is a war crimes investigator. After new polling showed a significant majority of Ukrainians now back the pursuit of a peace deal, they give us their perspective on Trump and Putin's plans.Today's episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producer was Laurie Kalus. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Edition No221 | 12-08-2025 - Someone should tell Trump that Alaska Is Not Russia. Not anymore. This episode is about dictators challenging borders and annulling the concept of sovereignty and universal human rights, in a world of rapid geopolitical devolution, to a far more barbaric age.“I'm going to Russia on Friday.” Said Trump at a D.C. presser on crime, days before his Alaska summit. He made this mistake twice in the same day, in fact. Alaska: is the last frontier—also a U.S. state since 1959, despite today's vibes from the White House briefing room. That slip isn't just a meme; it's a metaphor for the successful manipulation of Trump by Putin, of the Trump regime, and US foreign policy. In respect of Ukraine, I do not think we can consider that the US is making sovereign decisions anymore, as narratives, policies and actions are clearly aligned with the Kremlin's interests, no matter how false, evil and illegal they are. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.ft.com/content/a7012224-a9bf-482b-8595-614a7484a059https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0e99yqv332ohttps://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-latest-putin-trump-meeting-alaska-summit-zelenskyy-russia-nato-missiles-talks-ceasefire-12541713https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/12/europe-live-ukraine-russia-putin-trump-viktor-orban-latest-updateshttps://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-pressure-trump-ahead-of-his-talks-with-putin-on-ending-ukraine-war/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/08/12/trump-does-not-want-zelensky-to-attend-his-alaska-meeting-with-putin_6744287_4.htmlhttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/12/putin-wants-a-photo-op-with-trump-says-eu-foreign-policy-chief.htmlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrlvwx9rgohttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-putin-meeting-russia-alaska-ukraine-war-b2805880.htmlhttps://www.ft.com/content/f1774ade-72c4-44b0-aad8-2692db1ccea0----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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/----------

Escape from Kharkiv is one of the short stories included in Mitchell Lüthi's latest collection, Aberrants, available now. The audiobook, performed by George Weightman, is coming soon to Audible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The heatwave of Terror continues with Escape from Kharkiv, We're Alive: Scout Honor- Chapter 7- Unraveling the Trail, and Short Ghost and Horror Collection 2- The Body-Snatcher! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Escape from Kharkiv is one of the short stories included in Mitchell Lüthi's latest collection, Aberrants, available now. The audiobook, performed by George Weightman, is coming soon to Audible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The heatwave of Terror continues with Escape from Kharkiv, We're Alive: Scout Honor- Chapter 7- Unraveling the Trail, and Short Ghost and Horror Collection 2- The Body-Snatcher! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edition No220 | 09-08-2025 - This story is rapidly evolving, so may require daily coverage until it plays out. What we are seeing is the culmination of months of theatre, where expectations were toyed with, the notion of peace was teased, abused, manipulated and distorted. Now we see all these things coming together, but no real prospect of peace. No process done in good faith that could lead to negotiated peace as an outcome. Putin does not deal with any country in good faith unless they show extraordinary strength – and of a particular authoritarian bullying kind. In any case, Russia only places faith in an agreement while it benefits from the scenario. As soon as it is not beneficial, all treaties are contingent, broken and rejected, the terms flouted. So it will be here, but Putin is not dealing with people (like Trump) whom he sees as strong or a threat.As James Sherr incisively comment today, “To paraphrase a Russian expression, against whom are you waging peace?” He also notes that every ultimatum from Trump is a prelude to a step change in reverse. He dangles all sorts of possibilities with allies and in the face of adversaries, only to drop them at a moment's notice when the reverse gear step change is required. Secondly, Witkoff is not an emissary of peace – he is the herald and harbinger of treachery. Trump did not send him to Moscow to negotiate peace, in face to negotiate anything, but to acquiesce to a betrayal. And this is what is now unfolding. Betrayal of Ukraine, betrayal of allies, betrayal of the principles of law, justice and fairness. Betrayal even of the strength and authority of the US, which Trump is comprehensively trashing. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://thehill.com/policy/international/5442747-john-bolton-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-meeting/ https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-putin-trump-meeting-confirmed-ukraine-rcna223572 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/07/putin-trump-summit-meeting-ukraine/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e02q12z32o ----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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/----------

Edition No216 | 06-08-2025 - Today we're deconstructing Russia's economic façade: the so‑called wartime boom that seemed to fool many international analysts, the slow-acting sanctions shock, and whether the engine of the war economy is finally stalling.This video is based on a collation of articles by financial journalists, but also by compiling videos recently produced by Russian economics expert Vladimir Milov and his co-presenter Michael Naki. Their videos on this topic emphasize that Russia's wartime economy was once hailed as resilient: fuelled by soaring oil prices and military spending. Yet, beneath the surface, cracks are spreading. In early 2025, the IMF and other institutions downgraded Russia's GDP growth sharply. “Russia's wartime boom is faltering,” the IMF warned, revising its 2025 outlook to 0.9% growth, down from 4.1% in 2024. (The Moscow Times)Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov—Putin's own ally—noted publicly that Russia teeters on the brink of recession, pointing to weak business sentiment, surging inflation, and reckless war spending. (The Guardian)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:The Illusion of Russia's Wartime Boom: An Economic BreakdownIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the perceived resilience of Russia's wartime economy amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Despite international sanctions and an initial boom fueled by high oil prices and military spending, the facade is cracking. Financial analyses reveal a sharp decline in Russia's projected GDP growth, a faltering oil market, and a widening rift between the military and civilian sectors of the economy. As inflation and high interest rates persist, Russia's long-term economic stability is in jeopardy. We discuss the implications of Western sanctions and the strategic moves needed to intensify economic pressure on Russia and its global allies.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Overview00:41 The Illusion of Russia's Wartime Boom01:46 Cracks in the Economic Facade02:48 Oil Sanctions and the Pivot to the East04:15 Inflation, Interest Rates, and Currency Risks05:42 The Civilian Economy vs. The Military Sector07:36 Strategic Choices and Western Policy08:53 Conclusion and Future Outlook----------SOURCES: Reuters: “Weak rouble, higher oil may help Russia…” 30 Jul 2025Reuters: “Russian rouble expected to weaken…” 1 Aug 2025 Reuters: “Consumer price index falls…” 30 Jul 2025 Reuters: “Sberbank warns of economy overcooling…” 18 Jun 2025 Business Insider: “IMF sees Russia's wartime economy slowing…” 30 Jul 2025 The Guardian: “Russia 'on verge of recession'…” 20 Jun 2025 Washington Post: “Pressure on Russia via secondary sanctions…” 2 Aug 2025Wikipedia and Stockholm Institute reports on sanctions impact, internal budget stimuli, growth & military‑civil split----------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/----------

Edition No216 | 06-08-2025 - Belarus's New Martial Law Proposal. Today, we unpack Belarus's proposal to expand martial law and what it might mean—not just for Belarus, but for Ukraine, its NATO neighbours, and Europe's beleaguered democracies.In August 2025, Belarus's Defence Ministry submitted a new bill giving it the power to declare martial law not only in the case of aggression against Belarus, but also if Russia or the “Union State”—their supranational alliance—is attacked (The New Voice of Ukraine). As one summary put it, "if, for example, a Ukrainian drone strikes Russian territory, Belarus could legally impose martial law on its own soil".The official justification: Belarus cites threats to the Russian‑Belarusian Union State, an integrated bloc formed in the 1990s to align foreign, economic, and defence policies between Russia and Belarus (UNITED24 Media). Now it's a matter of debate whether Belarus can be considered a sovereign and independent country, given that its policy making is so closely aligned with Kremlin ambitions and intentions. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: * Militarnyi.com, “Belarus Proposes Introducing Martial Law…” (Aug 2025) * NV.ua / RBC.ua, “Belarus may declare martial law…” (Aug 2025) * Belsat.eu, on expanding grounds for martial law * Wikipedia Union State, treaty ratification details March 2025 (Wikipedia)* EUNEWS.eu, EU suspects Belarus behind migrant flows from Libya (Aug 2025)* Maghrebi.org, investigation linking Belarus in Libya migration (Aug 2025)* Wikipedia and other sources on weaponised migration (Wikipedia)* EU records: Frontex stats 2024 rising Belarus route by 192% (Reuters)* Reuters & Politico / Newsweek on Lithuanian drone incidents (Aug 5 2025) * Kyiv Independent on drone carrying explosives* CEPA analysis of Baltic hybrid drone threat ----------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/----------

Rostyslav Semkiv is Associate Professor, Department of Literary Studies, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Since 2004, Director of the Smoloskyp Publishing House. His scientific articles have been published in professional periodicals, the Krytyka journal and the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia newspaper, and his reviews are published on the LitAccent literary portal and in The Ukrainian Week magazine. Semkiv has translated fiction and non-fiction books, and is the author of several non-fiction books. Member of the Ukrainian PEN Centre. At the 10th International Book Arsenal Festival, he curated the focus theme—OPTIMISTS SKEPTICS.----------LINKS:https://x.com/rsemkivhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rostyslav-semkiv-120a2517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2kPcBJ6ZL0https://artarsenal.in.ua/en/knyzhkovij-arsenal/chlen-komandy/tanya-rodionova-2/----------DESCRIPTION:The Evolution of Ukrainian Identity and Literature: An Interview with Rostyslav Semkiv Literary CriticIn this episode, we delve into an insightful discussion with Rostyslav Semkiv, a distinguished Ukrainian literary critic. Hosted in Odesa, the conversation traverses the complexities of Ukrainian literature, the formation of Ukrainian identity, and the weaponization of literature by Russia. Sim sheds light on his extensive career as an associate professor at Kyiv Mohyla Academy and his role as a director of a small publishing house focusing on historical memoirs. They explore pivotal themes in Ukrainian literature, the impact of Soviet and Russian propaganda, the significance of literary freedom, and the resilience and identity of the Ukrainian people, especially amidst current geopolitical tensions. This episode offers a rich perspective on the battle between democracy and totalitarianism as reflected in literature and culture.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Background02:18 The Role of Literature in Ukrainian Identity06:43 Russian Propaganda and Historical Narratives09:53 The Evolution of Literature in Post-Soviet States15:37 The Impact of War on Literature and Identity18:28 Comparing Ukrainian and Russian Literature29:08 Themes in Ukrainian Literature35:30 European Influence and Aspirations39:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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/----------

Day 1,259.Today, as President Trump's deadline fast approaches, we discuss renewed bombardments in Kharkiv and elsewhere, before looking at the media landscape in the United States and considering the vital role of international volunteers in the war effort. Plus, we hear Adelie's latest dispatch from her trip to Ukraine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:Ukraine flags Indian-made parts in drones used by Russian forces (Hindustan Times):https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ukraine-flags-indian-made-parts-in-drones-used-by-russian-forces-101754335825281.html Tortured Ukrainian POW branded with ‘Glory to Russia' vows to return to battle after recovery: ‘Thirst for revenge' (New York Post):https://nypost.com/2025/08/04/world-news/tortured-ukrainian-pow-branded-with-glory-to-russia-vows-to-return-to-battle The Hidden War Over Ukraine's Lost Children (TIME):https://time.com/7302345/ukraine-lost-children-russia-war/ 20 Russian properties in Vienna could be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Ukraine (Der Standard):https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000282204/20-russische-immobilien-in-wien-koennten-zwangsversteigert-werden-erloes-wuerde-an-ukraine-gehen China Is Choking Supply of Critical Minerals to Western Defense Companies (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/china-western-defense-industry-critical-minerals-3971ec51 NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones' (RUSI): https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-defence-systems/nato-should-not-replace-traditional-firepower-drones SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edition No215 | 05-08-2025 - Today we take apart the drama that unfolded in Sochi — and the unexpected fascistic pop‑culture fallout. Strap in. It's going to be weird — why the fall of Russia, and Putin, will be live streamed by idiots, and will hardly seem real. In the early hours of August 3, 2025, Ukraine launched a drone strike that ignited at least two fuel tanks at the Rosneft-Kubannefteprodukt oil depot near Sochi, Russia's Black Sea resort. According to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, more than 120 firefighters fought the blaze. Flights at Sochi Airport were briefly halted as a precaution. (The Kyiv Independent)This episode marks a sharp intensification in Ukraine's campaign to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure in retaliation for Moscow's war operations since February 2022. Ukraine has hit facilities across Penza, Voronezh, Smolensk, and recently near Adler, Sochi—no longer the glamorous Olympic city, and showcase of Russia's economic and cultural power, sporting prowess and triumphant leadership – now it's a frontline target. Smouldering and ruined, a fitting metaphor for what Putin's Russia has become. (Financial Times)Russia's defence ministry claimed it shot down 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, though Kyiv later confirmed it had carried out the strike, targeting a fuel depot at Sochi Airport. (Reuters)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: “Ukraine's drone strike reportedly sparks fire at oil depot in Russia's Sochi”, Kyiv Independent, 3 Aug 2025 “Ukrainian attack sparks blaze at Russian oil depot…”, The Guardian, 3 Aug 2025“Russian firefighters extinguish Sochi oil depot blaze …”, Reuters, 3 Aug 2025 “Ukraine's Drones Light Up Sochi Airport Fuel Depot”, Kyiv Post, 4 Aug 2025 “Young Woman Fined for Filming Oil Depot Fire…”, Moscow Times, 4 Aug 2025 )“Russian TikTokers … forced to issue grovelling apology …”, The Sun, 4 Aug 2025 Timeline context from Wikipedia of prior drone attacks (Los Angeles Times)----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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/----------

Edition No214 | 04-08-2025 - The mounting power of the Axis of Authoritarian States is troubling, and their apparent impunity and immunity to external pressure —Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. We ask: has Russia's war in Ukraine now actually transformed into China's proxy war against the West? We'll explore naval drills, the supply of Chinese drone parts that is fuelling the devastation in Ukraine, oil diplomacy, and the elephant in the room: Taiwan.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: * Bloomberg Opinion: “Anti‑US Axis Isn't Dead ...”* Atlantic Council: U.S. ambassador on China proxy war* Reuters / AP: Joint Sea‑2025 naval exercises* United24 Media / Ukraine intelligence: Chinese components in drones* Reuters: Chinese drone engines shipped as cooling units* CEPA: China–Russia drone alliance and deeper ties* WSJ: Fault Lines in the Autocratic Axis* U.S. threat assessment / ODNI & DNI quotes* The Diplomat, Politico, Newsweek on sanctions, drone parts* Reuters/realclearnews on energy pressure to India, China, Turkey* Kyiv Independent on drone component sanctions* U.S.C.C. report on China's position* Order and naming according to sources above----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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/----------

https://dzygaspaw.com/projects/jonathan-for-danWebsite: https://dzygaspaw.com/Here at Dzyga's Paw Charity Fund, we understand that the work of this scale can't be accomplished alone. The collaboration shared vision, and collective efforts of dedicated Ukrainian and foreign businesses and individuals enable us to make a lasting impact on the lives of Ukrainian Heroes protecting our freedom.----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you're standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------LINKS:https://x.com/dzygaspawhttps://x.com/dim0kqhttps://dzygaspaw.com/triad-night-droneshttps://kovyla.pub/dimko--------------------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

ANDREI YAKOVLEV is an Associate at Harvard University's Davis Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies and a Visiting Research Fellow at SCRIPTS project at Freie Universität Berlin.VLADIMIR DUBROVSKIY was a Senior Economist at CASE Ukraine. He is an expert on Applied institutional and political economics (corruption, economic reforms, etc.)----------LINKS:https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/putins-new-hermit-kingdom-closed-dictatorship----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No213 | 03-08-2025 - Russia's new missile, Oreshnik—the "hazelnut" makes a comeback. Why now, and should we take these threats seriously? Putin has announced “mass production” of the missile complex, teased deployment in Belarus, and claimed it can “dual” U.S. defenses. But how real is it? What threat does Europe face? And how much is psychological propaganda and bluff?On August 1, 2025, President Putin announced alongside Belarus's Lukashenko that “Preparatory work is ongoing, and most likely we will be done with it before the year's end”, saying the first Oreshniki and their systems have entered service. That same day regime supporting outlets reported “serial production of the latest Oreshnik medium‑range missile system is under way,” with range up to 3,425 miles (5,500 km), able to strike Europe and parts of the US. (New York Post)Analysts remain skeptical. Oreshnik appears based on the RS‑26 Rubezh—functionally repackaged, not radically new. As one expert put it, it was "a series of old technologies ... put together in a new way"—perhaps only 10 % of which was new. (Wikipedia) U.S. officials emphasize it's still experimental, and Russia likely only has a limited number of them.So, while mass‑production is claimed, in truth it may mean only a small initial batch—and more psychological signalling than industrial capacity. Of course, the choice of warhead is just as important, in terms of what impact the munition can have. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: * Euronews (Aug 1, 2025, deployment announcement)* AP News (deployment in Belarus)* Business Insider (mass-production claims & analysis)* Wikipedia (Oreshnik detailed history & capabilities)* RUSI and RIAC commentary (technical & strategic analysis)* Foreign Policy on submunition threat* Le Monde on Dnipro deployment* Kyiv Independent / Zelensky parts warning* The Guardian on missile escalation context* The Sunday Times via Times (UK vulnerability gap)----------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/----------

This episode of Street Culture Podcast has a different sound – English, because our guest is the iconic carrier of European breaking history from Sweden, Bboy Freeze. So the quotes in the carousel are in the language of flow and cipher. What did the first wave of hip-hop in Europe look like? Why was breaking in the 80s an act of rebellion, not just a trend? What did hip-hop sound like before it was played on the radio? And how did the streets of Gothenburg differ from the streets of Kharkiv? In the thirteenth episode of the second season of Street Culture Podcast, we go back to the 80s, when breaking was just emerging in Sweden. These were the times of VHS tapes, disco clubs for teenagers, and the first battles in school hallways. That's when it all began – with robot dance, Rocksteady crew tapes, and roller skating parties. Everything that is now called a scene was then simply called «being in your neighborhood and wanting to dance». Bboy Freeze's story is a journey from living room floors and the first belly mill to the creation of the legendary Ghost Crew. It's a conversation about contrasts – when someone trained with city support, and someone else under threat of arrest due to VHS. When someone had clubs and tours, and someone else had only concrete and stubbornness. We talk not only about dance but also about a generation that didn't stop when it became «unfashionable». About the dark ages of Scandinavian breaking, which laid the foundation for everything that exists now. About those times when one had to fight not for medals, but for the very existence of culture. Listen to Street Culture Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, and MEGOGO Audio. We preserve history while it still breathes. We are creating a new season of the podcast about Ukrainian street culture together with Street Culture & uabreaking & Algorytm NGO and Egor Dach. Find out how breaking history was made and how breaking became an Olympic discipline from training in a residential area.

Edition No212 | 02-08-2025 - It's all about oil, stupid. Russia's aggression is enabled and powered by hydrocarbons. The fact the world has let them export and sell for more than three years to support genocidal aggression is a scandal and morally indefensible. In this episode we ask – “Is Putin screwed?” now the sources of income for his aggression are finally being cut off. The Penza and Samara strikes on Russia's refinery infrastructure, Russia's war economy oil dependency, tightening of EU sanctions, India's pause in accepting Russian tankers, and the shadow‑fleet tanker issue.Ukrainian drones have struck the Penza and Samara oil refineries, and global pressure is mounting on Russia's oil lifeline — from EU sanctions to India's hesitation about continuing to binge buy Russian oil. It's all about the oil and ships keeping Putin's war machine afloat.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Is Putin's War Machine on the Brink of Collapse? | Oil Sanctions and Strategic StrikesIn this episode, we explore how Ukraine's strategic strikes and tightening global sanctions are crippling Russia's war economy. Topics include the recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Penza and Samara oil refineries, the EU's new sanctions on Russian crude, India's pause on Russian oil imports, and the impact of these measures on Russia's war capabilities. We delve into Russia's oil dependency, the shadow fleet of tankers, and the global efforts to cut off the revenue streams fueling Putin's aggression. Join us as we analyze the physical, psychological, and economic toll of these actions and how they may signal a turning point in the conflict.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements00:33 Is Putin's War Machine in Trouble?01:19 Strikes on Penza and Samara03:28 Russia's Oil Dependency and Sanctions04:32 EU's New Sanctions and Their Impact05:52 The Shadow Fleet and India's Role10:01 Conclusion: The Future of Russia's War Machine----------SOURCES: https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/explosions-hit-penza-and-samara-areas-in-1754104103.htmlhttps://unn.ua/en/news/explosions-in-penza-and-samara-oblast-drones-hit-oil-refinery-and-defense-plantshttps://kyivindependent.com/drones-strike-industrial-sites-across-russia/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/business/india-russia-oil-trump.htmlhttps://www.gtreview.com/news/europe/eu-tackles-russian-oil-refining-loophole-in-major-sanctions-crackdown/https://energyandcleanair.org/fact-sheet-five-ports-received-57-of-russian-crude-transported-by-uk-sanctioned-vessels/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyvn35dej19ohttps://united24media.com/latest-news/sanctioned-russian-oil-tankers-left-stranded-off-india-as-refineries-turn-them-away-10359https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/31/indian-state-refineries-halt-russian-oil-imports-after-trump-tariff-threats-a90050https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/indian-state-refiners-pause-russian-oil-purchases-sources-say-2025-08-01/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/tankers-with-russian-oil-idle-off-india-as-refiners-seek-steer----------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/----------

Ostap Slyvynsky is a Ukrainian poet, essayist, translator, literary critic, and academic. He is the author of several collections of poetry and was a recipient of Ukrainian and international literary awards. He is also noted for translating several works of fiction from other languages into Ukrainian. He is the author of five poetry collections, numerous essays, columns, and reviews in Ukrainian and foreign periodicals. His works have been translated into 16 languages. He translates fiction and scholarly literature from English, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Polish, and Russian. ----------DESCRIPTION:The Language of War: A Conversation with Ostap Slyvynsky in OdesaIn this captivating episode, we are joined by Ostap Slyvynsky, a translator, writer, and associate professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, to discuss his book, 'Dictionary of War'. The conversation delves into the spontaneous creation of the book amidst the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the profound changes in wartime language, and the manipulation and distortion of terms like 'war' and 'peace' by Russian propaganda. The episode further explores the challenges and psychological defenses in Ukrainian society facing the ongoing war, the concept of victory, and the broader implications of Ukraine's role as a frontier of democratic values against authoritarian regimes. Tune in for an in-depth analysis of language, propaganda, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:41 The Spontaneous Creation of 'Dictionary of War'03:05 Language Evolution in Wartime04:44 The Semantics of War and Peace07:25 Russian Propaganda and the Concept of War11:00 Ukraine's Role and Identity in the Conflict22:16 The Future of Ukraine and Democratic Values32:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostap_Slyvynskyhttps://www.wordsforwar.com/ostap-slyvynsky-biohttps://pen.org.ua/en/members/slyvynskyj-ostaphttps://brooklynrail.org/2024/10/books/ostap-slyvynsky-winter-king/https://lithub.com/the-sky-is-innocent-new-writing-by-ukrainian-poet-ostap-slyvynsky/https://chytomo.com/en/authors/ostap-slyvynsky/----------BOOKS: A Ukrainian Dictionary of War (2024)Grace Mahoney (Translator), Taras Malkovych (Translator), Ostap Slyvynsky (Compiler)(Poetry)The Winter King, (Lviv, 2018)Adam, (Chernivtsi, 2012)Driven by Fire (2009)Ball in the Darkness (Kyiv, 2008)Midday Line, (Khmelnyts'ky-Kyiv, 2004)Sacrifice of Big Fish, (Lviv, 1998)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------

Edition No211 | 01-08-2025 - The July 31, 2025, drone‑and‑missile attack on Kyiv was one of the most substantial and devastating of the war. It was also entirely indiscriminate and purely targeted at civilians. We'll break down: the scope of the attack, its human toll, the increasing difficulty of interception, voices calling out from Ukraine—and what the implications are for dealing with Russia, that has now cemented its identity as terror‑state, the Al-Qaeda of the European Continent.In the early hours of July 31, Russia unleashed one of the deadliest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the war began. Over 300 drones initially were counted and eight Iskander‑K cruise missiles, but according to Ukraine's air force later that count rose to 539 drones and 11 missiles, targeting the capital. Air raid sirens blared for hours while explosions shattered sleep and infrastructure. President Zelensky described it as a “deliberately massive and cynical” attack, timed hours after a phone call between Trump and Putin. He made the connection explicit: the strikes began “almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin.”----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: * United24 Media: “Death Toll from Russian Attack on Kyiv Climbs to 31—159 Wounded…”* United24 Media: photographic reportage “What Russia's Deadly Strike on Kyiv Left Behind…”* Associated Press: “Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv kills at least 13 and injures more than 130”* Reuters: “Russia launches drone and missile waves killing 16, injuring well over 100”* TIME / AFP via United24: largest drone attack record July 3/4 coverage* Kyiv Independent / United24 / international coverage of Meaghan Mobbs comments* Wikipedia timelines and drone attack summaries (Kyiv strikes)----------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/----------

Edition No210 | 01-08-2025 - Dima Medvedev is rattling the nuclear sabre again, in a highly entertaining spat with Donald Trumo, who in turn is calling the economies of Russia and India ‘dead'. What does all this rhetoric mean? Does it amount to little more than political theatre, until Trump takes real measures to restrain Putin's war machine.We unpack a startling clash: Dmitry Medvedev's nuclear threats and Donald Trump's sweeping dismissal of India and Russia as "dead economies." The former probably was already on your Bingo card, the latter possibly not. What does the spat reveal—and will anything follow to curb Putin's war machine?Dmitry Medvedev, Putin's longtime loyalist now serving as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, has been resurrecting his role as hawk-in-chief. Over the last three years, he's issued chilling warnings:As early as May 2024, he wrote: “Russia regards all long‑range weapons used by Ukraine as already being directly controlled by servicemen from NATO countries… This is no military assistance, this is participation in a war against us.” (Financial Times)In late September 2024: “If Ukraine is allowed… to use Western long‑range missiles… we would reduce Kyiv to a ‘giant melted spot.'” (POLITICO)In July 2023: “Russia would have to use a nuclear weapon” if a NATO-backed offensive regained Russian-occupied land. (Wikipedia)All these things happened, the long-range strike capabilities, the campaigns in Kursk, and continued supply of munitions to Kyiv by its allies. Maybe not at the scales required, but substantial nonetheless, and Dimon's threats proved to be hollow bloviating bluster. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/31/ex-russian-president-entering-dangerous-territory-trump/https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/trump-tariffs-russia-india-dead-economies-7mvr38w85https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-medvedev-putin-russia-ukraine-war-b2800085.htmlhttps://www.ndtv.com/world-news/as-donald-trump-brands-india-russia-dead-economies-russian-official-warns-him-of-nuke-strikes-8993532https://www.politico.eu/article/donld-trump-calls-russias-dmitry-medvedev-failed-president/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524131/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5429394-donald-trump-russia-india-dmitry-medvedev-ceasefire/https://kyivindependent.com/trump-warns-russias-medvedev-to-watch-his-words-accuses-him-of-entering-dangerous-territory/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/dmitry-medvedev-russia-trump-ceasefire-tariff-13917074.htmlhttps://time.com/7306697/trump-medvedev-russia-ukraine-nuclear-war-putin/https://global.espreso.tv/world-about-ukraine-diplomat-explains-what-verbal-clash-between-trump-medvedev-signalshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/07/31/trump-lashes-out-at-india-and-russias-dead-economies-and--responds-to-medvedevs-war-threat/----------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/----------

Theo Allthorpe-Mullis an NCTJ qualified journalist and author of the the Dictators v. Democrats SubStack. Prior to becoming a journalist he was a police officer in London. He is interested in conflict, human rights and the preservation of democracy. Prior to his service with the Police, he undertook a Masters Degree in International Security.----------LINKS:https://tamullis.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/@TAMullis @TAMullis https://x.com/TheoAMullispatreon.com/DictatorsvDemocratscoff.ee/tamullis----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------

Edition No209 | 31-07-2025 - An article in RIA, a government propagandists news agency, of which RT is a subsidiary, openly calls for genocide, while sanctioned Russian lawmakers that are fully aligned with this genocidal policy are welcomed in Switzerland at a so-called peace conference. Today, we confront two outrageous acts:1. A Russian state propaganda op‑ed calling for the total annihilation of Ukrainians, published by RIA Novosti.2. The astonishing decision by Switzerland to allow sanctioned Russian lawmakers—including war crime enablers—to speak at a Geneva peace conference.These two acts expose two grotesque lies – that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has anything to do with NATO, security concerns or any similar nonsense, and it also exploded the Swiss claims to be neutral politically, but not morally. Rather, it's a reminder, if such were needed, of the extraordinary moral bankruptcy Switzerland has shown today, and reflects other episodes in the past, where it was an enabler of NAZI crimes to steal wealth from Jews during the holocaust, and allegedly supplied the fascist war machine with precision parts, under gently persuaded by the RAF to tone down their hypocrisy. Switzerland was not neutral then and is not now. It could even be deeply dependent on Russian money and largess. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/07/31/russian-state-media-runs-op-ed-titled-no-one-should-remain-alive-in-ukrainehttps://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/switzerland-invites-sanctioned-russian-official-matviyenko-to-speak-in-geneva-despite-role-in-launching-the-war-in-ukraine-10266https://kyivindependent.com/sanctioned-russian-officials-attend-global-parliamentary-summit-in-geneva/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/30/eu-lawmakers-walk-out-during-matviyenkos-address-in-geneva-a90035https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524081/https://www.newarab.com/news/ukraine-delegate-slams-russian-presence-geneva-gatheringhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-30/top-putin-ally-visits-geneva-as-italy-france-waive-flight-banhttps://babel.ua/en/news/120073-the-head-of-the-russian-federation-council-matvienko-who-is-under-sanctions-arrived-in-geneva-for-a-conference-dedicated-to-peacehttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524129/https://tvpworld.com/88079711/disgraceful-ukraine-slams-geneva-summit-for-hosting-sanctioned-russian-mpshttps://united24media.com/latest-news/protest-erupts-during-russian-speaker-matviyenkos-speech-at-world-conference-of-speakers-in-geneva-10304https://kyivindependent.com/russian-state-media-article-demands-no-ukrainians-be-left-alive/----------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/----------

Edition No207 | 30-07-2025 - Drones, assassinations, and fear stalk the Kremlin—and a weapon called Yolka provides an insight into the paranoid frame of mind of Vladimir Putin, in the fourth year of his senseless war against Ukraine.* What is the Yolka anti-drone interceptor?* What evidence do we have that Putin fears drone attacks, and that paranoia defines life in the Kremlin.* What past assassination attempts suggest about Putin's mindset—and whether he believes he is safe.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/vladimir-putin-assassination-fears-highlighted-35635872 https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/07/30/putin-s-security-team-spotted-carrying-handheld-interceptor-drones https://www.businessinsider.com/vladimir-putin-bodyguard-interceptor-drone-victory-day-parade-video-2025-7 https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57190 https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/ukraine-drone-attacks-instill-fear-in-vladimir-putin-russian-president-feels-unsafe-in-moscow-s-red-square-walks-with-anti-drone-launcher/ar-AA1JwQCe ----------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/----------

Edition No205 | 29-07-2025 - It's dawn on Monday, July 28, 2025, and at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport a wearily familiar scene is unfolding—departure boards frozen, passengers stranded, irate people being denied refunds. Yet this time it was not drones that had caused the grounding of planes, the inconvenience and discomfort to passengers. It was one of the most effective hacks in history. Aeroflot, Russia's state‐owned flag carrier was grounded by a major cyberattack. Flights cancelled, chaos at ticket counters, confusion everywhere. This was no glitch, as the Kremlin propagandists initially tried to claim. It is a digital war. And the Kremlin is terrified of the implications of such attacks for its war economy. The hacker groups Silent Crow and Belarus Cyber‑Partisans emerged to claim responsibility. But something on this scale cannot just have been a private initiative. Ukraine is fighting back, and the Russian Goliath is falling and hitting the ground hard. This is part of a concerted strategy to hit the economy, so expect more. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Chaos in Russian Aviation: Unprecedented Cyber Attack on Aeroflot SystemsIn this gripping episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the catastrophic cyber attack on systems that ground Russia's state-owned airline Aeroflot, causing unprecedented travel chaos. The hack, executed by the hacker groups Silent Crow and Belarus Cyber Partisans, significantly disrupted Russia's transport network and inflicted tens of millions of dollars in damages. The incident reveals vulnerabilities in Russia's critical infrastructure and highlights Ukraine's robust cyber offensive strategies amidst ongoing conflicts. Learn about the strategic implications, the role of volunteer hacker groups, and the potential for future cyber disruptions.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:51 The Hack Unfolds: Chaos at Moscow's Airport01:50 The Scale and Impact of the Cyber Attack03:09 Financial and Operational Fallout11:20 Broader Implications for Russia's Infrastructure12:31 Ukraine's Cyber Offensive Strategy17:35 Historical Context and Future Outlook21:01 Conclusion: The Cyber Battlefield----------SOURCES: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/28/completely-compromised https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-opens-criminal-case-over-aeroflot-cyberattack-2025-07-28/ https://english.nv.ua/nation/belarusian-hackers-claim-aeroflot-cyberattack-that-grounded-42-flights-on-july-28-50532950.html https://news.online.ua/en/cyberattack-on-aeroflot-the-company-lost-up-to-50-million-895625/ https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1091217.html https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/28/russia-aeroflot-cancels-flights-pro-ukraine-hackers-cyber-attack https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/28/7523738/ https://www.reuters.com/en/pro-ukrainian-hackers-claim-massive-cyberattack-russias-aeroflot-2025-07-28/ https://english.nv.ua/nation/aeroflot-hackers-reveal-details-of-operation-against-russian-airline-50533022.htmlhttps://www.ft.com/content/9114257b-94cf-4726-b8cc-7e71b3304c8a----------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/----------

Edition No204 | 28-07-2025 - Russia cancelled Navy Day parades for the first time – which is a deep embarrassment to the Kremlin, as it's the first time this significant military holiday has been canned. This follows closely on the heels of the airport shutdowns, after drone swarms forced their closure. What does this says about Putin's naval myth colliding with battlefield reality. Well we already knew that the tsar's navy isn't immune from Ukrainian drones.Navy Day (“Day of the VMF”) was revived in 2017 by Putin, transforming Russia's fleet into a centerpiece of national pride. The main event in St. Petersburg featured grand naval reviews on the Neva, with warships parading past Kronstadt, foreign delegations, military bands, and tens of thousands of spectators—major PR theater for the Kremlin (AP News).But this year, the parade was scrapped entirely. British intelligence declared:"It is almost certain that Day of the Russian Navy parades… originally expected… July 27, 2025, have been cancelled… due to force protection concerns." (Українська правда)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/27/7523638/ https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/putin-cancels-navy-day-parade-says-frontline-1753624674.html https://unn.ua/en/news/british-intelligence-russia-canceled-navy-day-parade-for-the-first-time-due-to-security-concerns https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-says-nearly-100-drones-shot-down-as-strikes-disrupt-airports-and-railways-across-western-russia/ ----------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/----------

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.----------DESCRIPTION: Understanding Kyiv Protests: An In-Depth Discussion with Anti-Corruption Advocate Olena Halushka Jonathan speaks with Olena Halushka, a board member of the Ukrainian NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center and co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory. The conversation covers the ongoing protests in Kyiv, the role of Russian aggression, the significance of EU integration for Ukraine, and the internal challenges of anti-corruption and judicial reforms. Elena clarifies the nature of the protests, expressing that they are in favor of Ukraine's EU integration and not against the government. The discussion also delves into the horizontal strength of Ukrainian society, the impact of Western misconceptions, and the broader implications of these reforms on Ukraine's resilience during wartime. Lastly, Olena provides insights into how Western misunderstanding of Ukraine's decentralized but resilient structure and the importance of maintaining justice and anti-corruption measures, even during the war, are crucial for Ukraine's future.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:22 Current Situation in Ukraine02:11 Understanding the Protests04:03 EU Integration and Democratic Reforms05:24 The Role of Civil Society and Media13:48 Russian Occupation and Humanitarian Crisis21:04 Global Implications and Support for Ukraine25:34 Anti-Corruption Reforms and Internal Challenges51:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------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/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------

Live stream with Yuri Rashkin. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No206 | 30-07-2025 - This is Silicon Bites first travel review episode. Well not really, it's about the dwindling number of places available to Russians for mass tourism, as they are excluded from many countries, and the declining value of the rouble makes more destinations financially unattainable. The question Russians are now asking themselves in greater numbers is where should we holiday this year? Occupied Ukraine, a War Zone, of North Korea, the Hermit Kingdom. We also should ask, should Russians even be getting visa to holiday in Europe, in the context of the full-scale genocidal war it has launched against Ukraine, and hybrid attacks on Europe? ----------Today: holidays reshaped by occupation, isolation, and sanctions—where Russian tourism also serves as a chilling propaganda tool. We're diving into four related stories:1. Beaches in occupied Ukrainian territories turned into Russian holiday zones.2. The emergence of Russian tourism in North Korea via new direct flights.3. Russia intensifying travel to places like Afghanistan and Iran.4. The controversies over Russian tourists seeking European visas.It's not all sun, sand and fun. These holidays contain some anxiety, trauma and are based on a complete moral bankruptcy not only of the Russian government, but also its people. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Russian Tourism's Dark Side: Occupation, Isolation, and Moral BankruptcyIn this first travel review episode of Silicon Bites, we explore the limited holiday options available to Russian tourists amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and international sanctions. The episode is broken into four segments: Russian holidays in occupied Ukrainian territories, new direct flights to North Korea, unusual destinations like Afghanistan and Iran, and the controversy over Russian tourists seeking European visas. We discuss the moral implications of these travels and how Russian tourism is being used as a geopolitical tool to normalize occupation and build alliances with rogue states.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:45 The Dilemma of Russian Tourism02:10 Russian Holidays in Occupied Ukraine05:16 North Korea: The New Russian Tourist Destination07:09 Exploring Unusual Destinations: Afghanistan and Iran08:34 The Controversy Over Russian Visas in Europe09:46 Conclusion and Moral Reflections----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/25/sun-sea-and-the-russian-flag-inside-vacation-season-on-the-beaches-of-occupied-ukraine-a89973 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/moscow-pyongyang-direct-flights-russia-to-north-korea-tourists https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-tourists-get-a-nightmare-new-vacation-destination-as-flight-choices-dwindle/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyrk588dlro https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2025/0619/russia-tourism-vacation-iran-korea-afghanistan ----------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/----------

July 28th 2025 Yuriy reflects on his experience with illness, the enduring effects of war in Ukraine, and the striking parallels between his own journey and that of his grandfather, both marked by their status as war veterans. Yuriy's Podbean Patron sign-up to give once or regularly: https://patron.podbean.com/yuriy   Buy Yuriy a coffee here: https://bmc.link/yuriymat  Subscribe to his substack: https://yuriymatsarsky.substack.com/  ----more---- TRANSCRIPT: (Apple Podcasts & Podbean app users can enjoy accurate closed captions)   It is July 28th And it's beautiful rainy day. I had stayed silent for quite a while, but it wasn't by choice. For the past two weeks, I've been sick with COVID. I have to admit these were two terrible weeks at times it even felt like we might be my last. These days, every illness seems harder and more severe than the previous one, and yet during the first year of a full scale war. I did not get sick at all. Despite having to sleep on concrete floors or frozen grounds, my body somehow mobilized itself and made it through the whole year without any illness. Only my teeth started falling out. Then at the beginning of my second year of service, something broke inside. And I began to fall ill, bronchitis, flu then flu again, then COVID again. It felt like my immune system had just stopped working. I tried to push through every illness on my feet, refusing to go to the hospital, but it did not always work. I remember the first time I found myself in a hospital ward that had a sign on the door. Ward for war veterans. The sign dated back to Soviet times, still written in Russian. I remember thinking then: how did I end up here in this kind of ward? The thing is, for many years there was only one "war" in the public consciousness. The USSR fought in plenty of wars, but officially they were called something absurd: fulfilling international duty assisting fraternal socialist nations, or something like that. And there was only one real war, the second World war. Or rather,, just the part of it starting from June 1941, when Hitler attacked his former ally, Stalin, and launched a war against the Soviet Union. Only the veterans of that war were considered true veterans and it was them that signs referred to when we said a hospital ward or tram seat was reserved for war veterans. For me, a war veteran had always been someone old and very ill- like my grandfather. In his final years, he was always in wards, veteran wards, constantly being operated on by doctors trying to prolong his life a bit more. And now it suddenly turns out that I'm a veteran too. Well, I'm definitely sick like one, unfortunately. By the way, about a year ago when I was in Kharkiv, I happened to find my grandfather's veteran ID. He received it from the Ukrainian authorities after the collapse of USSR. And you know what? It looks exactly the same as the one I received 30 years after my grandfather.

Edition No201 | 25-07-2025 - Today: how Moscow is training teenagers to act as human bombs in Kyiv—and why Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) is sounding the alarm. From cafés to recruitment centres, from assassinations to remote detonations—these are not just plots but signals: Russia is escalating terror, and targeting the civilian population, because it cannot cut through on the battlefield.In the latest story, a Russian agent from Lviv was arrested in Kyiv while plotting an attack near a security service building. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) counterintelligence investigators thwarted a major terrorist attack on a busy central street in Kyiv. During a special operation in the city, they detained a Russian agent who was planning to detonate explosives near an SSU facility."An investigation has found that the suspect reached out to a Russian intelligence operative through a messenger group and agreed to collaborate in December 2024. Her mission was to carry out a terrorist attack aimed at causing casualties among SSU personnel."----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56919 https://tvpworld.com/87999080/ukraine-foils-alleged-russian-terror-plot-in-kyiv-caf https://english.nv.ua/nation/sbu-detains-17-year-old-in-kyiv-for-alleged-terror-plot-50515089.html https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraines-security-service-prevented-russian-terror-attack-in-kyiv-thwarting-plot-to-kill-officials-6146 https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/1/7496297/ https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-uncovers-kyiv-oblast-terror-plot/ ----------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/----------

Edition No203 | 26-07-2025 - We are turning the spotlight inward—into Russia and Belarus—exploring courageous dissent rarely seen in mainstream coverage. Today, we unpack protests inside Russia (or the lack of them), sabotage of military assets, partisan rail warfare in Belarus, and the shifting lines between Russian anti‑Kremlin actors and Ukraine's intelligence. Spoiler alert: Putin's control is showing cracks, but probably not enough to bring the house down.----------Public protests in Russia remain rare—and now seem to be confined to places outside the capital, or even ethnically majority Russian places. 2022 was the high-water mark of protests that were explicitly anti-war, but after that an exodus of people fleeing mobilisation and the crack down on protests, there had been very little. People last went out in mass in defiance of the regime after Navalny died, and on the day of his funeral. But these were more implicit criticism of the regime rather than explicit or direct. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://kyivindependent.com/russian-su-27ub-fighter-jet-catches-fire-in-apparent-act-of-resistance-ukraine-military-intelligence-says/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/23/ukraine-belarus-railway-saboteurs-russia/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_war_in_Belarus_%282022%E2%80%93present%29https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_the_Wagonshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Organization_of_Anarcho-Communistshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machulishchy_air_base_attack----------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/----------

Alya Shandra is Editor-in-chief at Euro Maidan Press. She has a background in environmental science and NGOs. During the Euromaidan revolution Alya Shandra launched an indy-media outlet called Euromaidan Press, and that project was fuelled by her interest in how to help Ukraine permanently move beyond being a post-communist post-colony country and evolve into becoming a free and democratic society that tackles corruption and nepotism. ----------DESCRIPTION:Ukraine Anti-Corruption Protests and Zelensky's Crisis: A Deep Dive with Alya Shandra from Euro Maidan PressIn this episode, we delve into the escalating scandal in Ukraine surrounding President Zelenskyy's controversial anti-corruption law, which triggered massive protests. Alya Shandra, Editor in Chief at Euro Maidan Press, provides insights into the background of the protests, their significance, and the pivotal role of anti-corruption agencies like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. We explore the societal impact of these protests, the historical context of Ukraine's political evolution, and discuss Zelenskyy's surprise response to the rising public unrest. Join us for an in-depth discussion on the fight against corruption in Ukraine amid an ongoing war.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Scandal in Ukraine00:13 Interview with Alya Shandra: Background and Insights01:10 Zelenskyy's Unexpected Protests01:59 Understanding the Anti-Corruption Law03:38 The Role of Anti-Corruption Agencies05:36 Public Reaction and Protests08:17 International Implications and EU Integration12:29 Zelenskyy's Leadership and Challenges18:19 The Future of Ukraine's Democracy35:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://euromaidanpress.com/author/alya/https://x.com/alyashandrahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alya-shandra-5b1a68b/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Edition No200 | 24-07-2025 - Stalin's Camps to Putin's Russia — The hint of a new Gulag Archipelago takes shape. Remember the Gulag? That grim and terrifying institution of forced labour, mass arrests and industrial scale torment that Stalin used to apparently modernize Russia. It wasn't just camps—it was terror, ideology turned into watch towers and razor wire, and millions of lives drained into Russia's unforgiving soil, for what seemed like capricious and measly ends. Above all, the Gulag was a mindset – of horror for incarcerated, and terror for those threatened with it. But it also served as a projection of power for the Russian state on the international stage. It said ‘look at the horrors we are prepared to inflict on our own people. Imagine, if we are capable of this, then what we can do to you, and your loved ones.' This is where so many people get Russia's rulers wrong right down to Putin. Russia's power, its existence does not come from the raw exercise of power, because in monetary term and most other indices that denote powerful countries, Russia trails far behind. No, Russia's power, its sense of worth, its status, its very existence cones from the idea that is feared. If Russia is not feared, Putin believes, and has hinted at many times in speeches, then it is not. To be fear is to exist, and to be ignored is the real existential threat to Putin and by extension all of Russia. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: CEPA, Gulag 2.0 — Russia Reopens the Camps (June 23, 2025)The Guardian, Gulag History Museum… closed (Nov 14, 2024) The Moscow Times, Kremlin & FSB order museum closure (Nov 14, 2024) Meduza, Citing ‘fire safety violations'… museum shutters (Nov 15, 2024)The Art Newspaper, Battle for memory at Russia's Gulag Museum (Mar 5, 2025) Barents Observer, FSB wants its own pre-trial detention centres (Feb 28, 2025) Meduza, The End of a Life Cycle (Jan 15, 2025) Wikipedia, Gulag Museum, Solovki prison campThe Guardian, Skobov sentenced to 16 years (Mar 21, 2025)Vox, Kara‑Murza's experience (Dec 1, 2024)Memorial (society) Wikipedia entry----------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/----------

Edition No198 | 23-07-2025 - In this episode, we take a hard, unsparing look at the Russian military's transformation, or lack of it—and the West's slow, uncertain response, at times pessimistic and laden with panic, at others complacent and bloated by hubris and overconfidence. Drawing on the analysis of John Foreman CBE and Edward Lucas of The Times, this episode insights from Bob Seely's new book ‘The New Total War'. It explores three years of hard lessons from Ukraine's battlefield, to ask: Is Russia preparing for perpetual war—and are we prepared to stop it?Russian Military Reform – Crude, Bloody, But Learning Dangerously and Unexpectedly Fast. John Foreman CBE, former British defence attaché in Moscow, pulls no punches: "Russia's approach to war is not efficient in a Western sense—its waste is staggering—but it can still be effective." (NEST Centre, July 2025). Despite early humiliations—the failed dash to Kyiv, the retreat from Kherson, and the mauling at Vuhledar—Russia has adapted. Foreman notes: “Mass and firepower, not finesse, remain the defining principles.” The focus is not on minimizing casualties but on ensuring throughput: of shells, drones, prisoners, and bodies, for meat-wave assaults.----------DESCRIPTION:Russia's Military Transformation: Adapting for Perpetual ConflictIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the critical question of whether Russia's military can change and adapt amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Drawing on insights from experts like John Foreman, CBE, and Edward Lucas, and referencing Bob Seeley's new book "The New Total War".----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Ukraine's Independence00:16 Support and Engagement: How You Can Help00:34 Analyzing Russia's Military Transformation00:52 Insights from Experts: John Foreman and Edward Lucas01:14 Russia's Military Reform and Adaptation03:12 Ukraine's Agility vs. Russia's Mass06:29 The West's Response and Strategic Challenges06:56 Russia's Drone Warfare and Industrial Scale Production08:46 Information Warfare: Russia's Hybrid Campaigns10:08 Conclusion: The Perpetual War Machine----------SOURCES: https://nestcentre.org/military-lessons/ https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/wake-up-west-russia-war-donald-trump-5kscn3w32----------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/----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce - Scandal in Ukraine and the US - we break down what's happening.----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Edition No197 | 22-07-2025 - Putin is tightening the digital noose in Russia, as the crackdown on the internet intensifies. We explore What It Signals in this episode. The Kremlin isn't just at war with Ukraine — it's at war with its own population, and the internet itself. Connectivity blackouts are plaguing regions of Russia, and now spyware is being installed on every internet capable device. The Victory Day disconnections of internet coverage were just a foretaste of the censorship and control that is rapidly approaching. The edges are emerging of what promises to be a terrifying blueprint for new a “digital gulag.” But this isn't just about censorship. It's about what Russia might be preparing for next — why the regime has such a sense of urgency to gain control of the Russian internet, and what that means for Ukraine and for the rest of us.----------DESCRIPTION:Putin's Digital Gulag: Why Russia is Shutting Down its InternetIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into Vladimir Putin's aggressive efforts to control and restrict internet access in Russia. We explore the Kremlin's increasing crackdown on digital freedom and what it means for Russia's population, the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and potential geopolitical ramifications. Key points include the intensification of censorship, the spread of spyware on consumer devices, and the Kremlin's urgency to isolate the Russian internet by autumn 2025. We also discuss possible reasons behind this rapid digital suppression including further mobilization, preparing for war with NATO, economic collapse, or autocratic whims. Discover how these unprecedented moves might signify a strategy to escalate the war or manage looming internal and external crises.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Putin's Attempt to Break the Internet00:30 The Digital Noose Tightens01:26 The Big Digital Squeeze03:00 Technical Details of the Crackdown04:24 Spyware and the Digital Gulag05:52 Hypotheses Behind the Crackdown10:10 The Autumn Trap: Why Now?11:39 Conclusion: The Global Implications----------SOURCES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx3hF3Yk2rYhttps://jamestown.org/program/russia-ramps-up-internet-censorship/https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-cut-internet-access-victory-day-ukraine-drone-strikes-putin-2025-5https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/putin-moscow-whatsapp-ban-plan-max-app-launch-b789tt6tshttps://united24media.com/latest-news/putins-new-orders-could-reshape-russian-internet-heres-whats-next-10019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-kremlin-instagram-atms-ukraine-b2791385.htmlhttps://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/07/mapping-russia-s-internet-blackoutshttps://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/01/russia-to-disconnect-foreigners-who-have-not-submitted-biometric-data-from-mobile-internet-a89635https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/17/russia-internet-censorship/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56473https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-03/russian-internet-outages-soar-as-kremlin-boosts-wartime-controls----------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/----------

Tom Keatinge is the founding Director of the Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI. According to The Economist, Tom Keatinge is one of a small group of '‘White collar vigilantes and poachers-turned-gamekeepers'. Tom's research focuses on matters at the intersection of finance and security, including the use of finance as a tool of intelligence and disruption. He has a Master's in Intelligence and International Security from King's College London, where his research focused on the effectiveness of the global counter-terror finance regime. Prior to joining RUSI in 2014, he was an investment banker for 20 years at J.P. Morgan.----------LINKS: https://www.rusi.org/people/keatingehttps://x.com/keatingetomhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-keatinge-9812444/ https://icct.nl/people/tom-keatingehttps://www.tomkeatinge.net/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Live stream with Yuri Rashkin. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Today's episode is dedicated to the recent NATO Summit to discuss potential outcomes for Ukraine as well as the ongoing Russian invasion. What discussions took place behind closed doors, what is the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, and why was the role of Ukraine downgraded compared to last year's summit. Is there now a risk of countries like the US normalising relations with the pariah terror state, Russia? ----------Mark Temnycky is a Ukrainian American freelance journalist, based just outside of New York City, and is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Centre. He has covered Eastern European affairs and energy security matters for seven years, with articles published in The New York Times, Forbes, Daily Mail, EUobserver, Kyiv Post, Atlantic Council, Wilson Centre, and other US and European news outlets and think tanks. ----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing the 2025 NATO Summit: Ukraine, Defense Spending, and Trump's InfluenceIn this episode, we delve into the outcomes of the recent NATO summit, focusing on the discussions surrounding Ukraine and the ongoing Russian invasion. We explore the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, the downgrading of Ukraine's role at this year's summit, and the potential risks of normalizing relations with Russia. The conversation includes the implications of increased defense spending targets, the emphasis on burden sharing among NATO members, and the strategic significance of providing continuous aid to Ukraine. Join us as Mark and Tim discuss these pressing issues with Nicki, a Ukrainian American freelance journalist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to NATO Summit and Key Topics01:48 NATO Summit Dynamics and Trump's Influence04:33 NATO's Defense Spending and Burden Sharing08:31 Ukraine's Role and NATO's Strategic Shifts16:53 Challenges in Defense Spending and Strategic Goals22:05 NATO's Collective Security and Article 527:01 Ukraine's Struggle and Western Support31:50 Summit Outcomes and Future Implications----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktemnycky/https://x.com/mtemnyckyhttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/mark-temnycky/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/mark-temnyckyhttps://kyivindependent.com/author/mark-temnycky/https://www.fpri.org/contributor/mark-temnycky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/mtemnycky/https://cepa.org/author/mark-temnycky/----------ARTICLES:https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-sees-mixed-results-2025-nato-summit-opinion-2092722 ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------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----------

Edition No195 | 20-07-2025 - The night skies turn hostile, but this time it's not only over Ukraine, but the capital of the aggressor, Moscow. This episode investigates the impact of three nights of drone raids on Moscow – both the material and psychological effects. There is a phrase is Russian, sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. Now the city of Lenin and Stalin is becoming Dronegrad, an imperial capital under fire. Did Putin think he could inflict aggression, but that Ukraine would not strike back? It seems he thought precisely this. Since early July, Moscow has faced repeated drone incursions. On July 19, Mayor Sobyanin announced that air defences shot down 2 drones, prompting temporary suspensions at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports (Reuters). Similar closures occurred on July 17 and 18, with disruptions at all four major Moscow airports (tvpworld.com).----------DESCRIPTION:Drone Strikes on Moscow: Disruption and DestructionIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the third day of drone strikes on Moscow, which have significantly disrupted airports and travel in the city, turning it into a virtual no-fly zone. The strikes have inflicted both material and psychological damage, highlighting the vulnerability of Moscow despite Russia's aggression in Ukraine. We discuss the economic impact, including massive airline losses and delays, and the broader implications for Russian society and its government's perceived strength. We also examine Ukraine's strategic use of drone strikes as a form of guerrilla economics, aimed at inflicting financial and psychological pain on Russia. Despite Western caution, Ukraine is expanding its capabilities and normalizing these strikes, while Russian civilians remain anxious and frustrated. Ultimately, bringing the war to Russian soil alters the dynamics of the conflict, challenging the Kremlin's narrative and strategy.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:36 Drone Strikes on Moscow: An Overview01:11 Impact on Moscow's Airports and Economy02:13 Psychological and Symbolic Effects02:43 Ukraine's Strategic Calculations05:02 Western Reactions and Future Prospects06:58 Conclusion and Summary----------SOURCES: Reuters: Sobyanin on drones & airport halts (July 19, 2025)The Sun: four-night blitz, airport shutdowns Reuters: 122 drones intercepted July 17, broader strike Kyiv Independent: airlines' losses of 20 bn roublesWashington Post: infrastructure & telecom disruptionsReuters/AP: casualties and public frustrationAP News/Reuters: Russia-Ukraine drone exchanges, Western arms dealsWikipedia: Nov 2024, summer 2024 drone pushesAtlantic Council & CSIS: drone strategy, cost-effectivenessReuters: civilian impacts across regionsThe Washington Post: mobile internet blackouts centralised Guardian/Independent/WSJ: peace talks, escalation, Trump involvement----------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/----------

Joe Lindsley is a traveler and a writer, and American who was reporting for Chicago's WGN Radio from Ukraine each and every weekday of Russia's full-scale war. He once was protégé to Fox News founder Roger Ailes, but Lindsley escaped that frenzied world where power mattered more than truth. He came to Lviv for a Ukrainian Catholic University journalism conference on Information Overload, AI, and Responsibility. Then the pandemic shut down world travel, and he stayed to build a better vision for the media industry.----------DESCRIPTION:Navigating U.S. Support for Ukraine: Insights from Joseph Lindsley In this episode, Joseph Lindsley returns to discuss his daily reporting from Ukraine during the war. Highlighting his conservative stance and mission to inject truthful messages into U.S. conservative circles, Lindsley underscores the importance of influencing current power dynamics in support of Ukraine. They cover the experiences of Kyiv's recent calm interrupted by intense Russian attacks, the trauma left behind, and discussions about a potential awakening in Washington. Lindsley addresses being labeled as partisan while advocating for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to appeal to those in power. Key topics include Trump's perceived change in stance towards Ukraine, the importance of understanding MAGA's anti-war sentiment, and strategies to communicate Ukraine's actions and innovations effectively to the American public. The episode also features discussions on Russian propaganda, Ukraine's internal politics, and the significance of timely U.S. military support.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome Back Joseph Lindsley 01:10 Current Situation in Kyiv02:01 Conservative Voices and Ukraine03:22 Trump's Influence and MAGA06:22 Ukraine's Innovation and Military Strategy16:10 Media Criticism and Russian Propaganda19:44 Ukraine's Political Strategy25:51 The Importance of American Support28:19 Distrust in Washington and Ukraine's Common Ground28:39 Challenges in Convincing MAGA Supporters29:47 Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Propaganda31:39 The Forever War Dilemma36:56 Ukraine's Technological Edge and Innovation43:20 The 50-Day Ultimatum for Putin50:03 Strategic Communication and Persuasion----------LINKS:https://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/donation/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lindsleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lindsley-60087618/https://www.youtube.com/@jplindsleyhttps://twitter.com/JPLindsleyhttps://www.instagram.com/jplindsley/https://www.facebook.com/josephlindsleyhttps://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------