Podcasts about Shahed

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Tuy không có hiệp ước phòng thủ chung chính thức giống như Liên minh  Bắc Đại Tây Dương NATO, chiến tranh giữa Mỹ và Iran ở Trung Đông đang thúc đẩy bốn nước Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên hành động như một khối có liên kết chiến lược. Mối quan hệ hợp tác này có thể là một thách thức to lớn đối với Hoa Kỳ. Những năm gần đây, mỗi khi nói đến các cuộc khủng hoảng quốc tế, từ chiến tranh Ukraina đến căng thẳng ở Trung Đông, người ta thường nghe nhắc đến một nhóm quốc gia gồm Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên, mà nhiều nhà phân tích phương Tây gọi là « CRINK », được ghép từ chữ cái đầu bằng tiếng Anh của bốn quốc gia (China, Russia, Iran và North Korea). Mạnh mẽ hơn, nhóm bốn nước này còn bị chỉ định là « trục gây bất ổn », « trục chống phương Tây » hay « trục các quốc gia gây hấn ». CRINK : Một khối thống nhất như NATO ? Câu hỏi quan trọng : Liệu đây có thực sự là một khối thống nhất giống như NATO? Hay người ta đang đơn giản hóa một thực tế phức tạp hơn rất nhiều. Chủ đề vẫn gây tranh cãi trong giới quan sát, giữa một bên cho rằng Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên đang hình thành một liên minh chiến lược chặt chẽ nhằm đối đầu với Mỹ và phương Tây, và bên kia thì cho rằng « không tồn tại bất kỳ khối nào », rằng mỗi nước theo đuổi lợi ích riêng và không có sự phối hợp đáng kể. Thực tế cho thấy là cả hai cách nhìn này đều chưa hoàn toàn chính xác. Nhiều nghiên cứu gần đây cho thấy mối quan hệ hợp tác quân sự và an ninh giữa bốn nước đã gia tăng mạnh mẽ, nhất là kể từ khi Nga tiến hành « chiến dịch quân sự đặc biệt » ở Ukraina năm 2022. Các hoạt động chuyển giao vũ khí, hàng hóa lưỡng dụng, các cuộc tập trận chung và những thỏa thuận song phương xuất hiện với tuần suất cao hơn. Tuy cho đến nay bốn nước này chưa có một cấu trúc chỉ huy chung hay một cơ chế phòng thủ tập thể, nhưng theo ghi nhận của các tác giả một báo cáo đăng trên trang Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Chiến lược Quốc tế (CSIS) ngày 30/09/2025, CRINK đang tồn tại như một mạng lưới hợp tác linh hoạt hơn là một liên minh quân sự chính thức. Xung đột giữa Israel và Iran trong giai đoạn 2024-2026 là phép thử rõ nét nhất cho nhận định trên. Bắc Triều Tiên : Lợi ích quốc gia trên cả ý thức hệ, tình hữu nghị Nếu thực sự tồn tại một « khối » thống nhất như NATO, người ta có thể kỳ vọng rằng khi Iran đối mặt với áp lực quân sự, ba đối tác còn lại sẽ ngay lập tức tham gia hỗ trợ một cách mạnh mẽ. Nhưng điều đó đã không xảy ra. Và Bắc Triều Tiên là một ví dụ đáng chú ý nhất. Thái độ thận trọng của Bình Nhưỡng cho thấy lợi ích quốc gia của Bắc Triều Tiên vẫn được đặt lên trên bất kỳ tình cảm ý thức hệ nào. Trả lời phỏng vấn RFI Tiếng Việt (ngày 18/06/2026), nhà địa chính trị học Didier Chaudet, chuyên gia về Nam Á, Trung Á và Vịnh Ba Tư, nhận định : « Thời gian gần đây, Cơ quan Tình báo Quốc gia Hàn Quốc (NIS) có đưa ra một thông điệp khá rõ ràng, cho thấy Bắc Triều Tiên đã khẳng định họ không hậu thuẫn Iran trong suốt cuộc chiến, vì muốn duy trì mối quan hệ tốt với chính quyền Trump trong tương lai. Bình Nhưỡng không muốn là mục tiêu sau khi chiến tranh Iran kết thúc. » Nga và Iran : Mối quan hệ đối tác chặt chẽ Tuy nhiên, Nga lại có một cách hành xử khác. Iran không chỉ là một đối tác mà còn là một mắt xích quan trọng trong mạng lưới giúp Matxcơva đối phó với các biện pháp cô lập của phương Tây. Trong chiến tranh Ukraina, Iran đã cung cấp cho Nga một lượng lớn drone Shahed và nhiều loại khí tài khác, đổi lại, Matxcơva đã mở rộng hợp tác quân sự, chia sẻ công nghệ và ký kết các thỏa thuận chiến lược, hỗ trợ Teheran trong nhiều lĩnh vực quốc phòng. Về điểm này, chuyên gia địa chính trị Didier Chaudet cho biết thêm rằng « một lượng lớn vũ khí đã được vận chuyển từ các cảng của Nga tại vùng biển Caspi đến Iran. Tất nhiên, đây là cách Nga lách các lệnh trừng phạt của phương Tây đối với Iran, một phần để đáp trả những lời chỉ trích về việc thiếu hỗ trợ trong năm 2025 khi căng thẳng giữa Israel và Iran tăng cao. Thật vậy, đối với Nga, nếu Iran sụp đổ, có nguy cơ thực sự họ sẽ là nạn nhân tiếp theo, khiến liên minh phương Tây trở nên quyết liệt hơn đối với Nga trong tương lai. » Đây cũng là quan điểm của nhà nghiên cứu Andrea Kendall - Taylor, giám đốc Chương trình An ninh Xuyên Đại Tây Dương, Trung tâm An ninh Hoa Kỳ Mới (CNAS), khi trả lời trang RFE/RL (24/07/2026). Theo bà, việc Iran sụp đổ có nguy cơ tạo ra bất ổn sâu rộng tại Trung Đông, đồng thời làm suy yếu một trong những đối tác quan trọng nhất của Nga. Thế nên, việc duy trì sự tồn tại và ổn định của Iran phù hợp với lợi ích chiến lược của Matxcơva. Trung Đông ổn định là lợi ích của Bắc Kinh Trong khi đó, Bắc Kinh lại chọn một cách tiếp cận khác thận trọng hơn. Trung Quốc tránh can dự quân sự trực tiếp, nhưng duy trì các mối quan hệ sâu rộng với Iran. Trả lời RFI Tiếng Việt, nhà địa chính trị học Didier Chaudet phân tích : « Ai cũng biết rằng Trung Quốc mua dầu của Iran, vì điều này nằm trong lợi ích của họ. Tương tự, trong khoảng thời gian 2025-2026 (…) rõ ràng đã có các hoạt động buôn bán những loại sản phẩm không thuộc diện trừng phạt do Mỹ và các đồng minh áp đặt, những sản phẩm không nằm trong phạm vi pháp luật, nhưng lại giúp tái thiết đặc biệt là khả năng tên lửa tầm trung của Iran. » Bắc Kinh không nhất thiết hành động vì mục tiêu bảo vệ Iran vô điều kiện. Lợi ích của Trung Quốc nằm ở một Trung Đông ổn định, đủ để bảo đảm các tuyến năng lượng và thương mại, đồng thời tránh sụp đổ nhà nước dẫn tới chiến tranh kéo dài. Một Iran hỗn loạn hoặc rơi vào nội chiến sẽ gây bất ổn cho toàn bộ khu vực và tác động đến kinh tế toàn cầu, điều mà Trung Quốc cũng như là châu Âu hoàn toàn không mong muốn, theo giải thích của nhà nghiên cứu Didier Chaudet. Lệnh trừng phạt của phương Tây : Mẫu số chung của CRINK Nhưng khi quan sát CRINK, người ta phát hiện ra một nghịch lý thú vị: Bốn nước này tuy không phối hợp ở mức độ cao như một liên minh quân sự thực sự, nhưng họ vẫn liên tục hỗ trợ lẫn nhau. Vậy điều gì đang gắn kết họ với nhau ? Đó là các lệnh trừng phạt của Mỹ và phương Tây. « Nhìn từ Trung Quốc, một nước như Hoa Kỳ có thể áp đặt luật lệ của mình ra ngoài lãnh thổ nhắm mục tiêu các công ty cùng nhiều thực thể của Trung Quốc, nhất là trong hồ sơ Iran, là điều càng ngày càng không thể chấp nhận trên phương diện luật quốc tế », theo đánh giá của chuyên gia Chaudet. Trong hoàn cảnh này, việc tăng cường hợp tác với nhau giữa bốn nước là một lựa chọn hợp lý. Nhà phân tích Andrea Kendall - Taylor gọi đây là một mạng lưới linh hoạt, vừa chia sẻ nguồn lực, vừa giúp nhau giảm tác động các biện pháp trừng phạt. Một trong những tác động quan trọng nhất của mạng lưới là giúp tăng cường năng lực của từng thành viên, đồng thời làm suy giảm hiệu quả các công cụ gây sức ép từ phương Tây. Ví dụ điển hình nhất là Bắc Triều Tiên. Trong nhiều năm, hình ảnh phổ biến về quốc gia này là một nền kinh tế trì trệ và cô lập, nhưng tình hình đã được cải thiện đáng kể trong hai năm gần đây. Theo giải thích của chuyên gia Didier Chaudet, « bởi vì Triều Tiên đang được hưởng lợi từ việc họ có thể hợp tác với Nga và kiếm tiền từ Nga dưới danh nghĩa hỗ trợ mà họ dành cho Nga trong cuộc chiến ở Ukraina. Bởi vì Trung Quốc, đối mặt với áp lực quốc tế từ những lãnh đạo cũng nhắm mục tiêu vào các thực thể Trung Quốc, đã quyết định nới lỏng các quy định thương mại giữa Trung Quốc và Bắc Triều Tiên. » CRINK : Một mạng lưới linh hoạt Điều này giải thích vì sao, bất chấp các lệnh cấm vận kéo dài, nền kinh tế Bắc Triều Tiên vẫn cho thấy có những dấu hiệu cải thiện tương đối. Từ góc độ quan hệ quốc tế, đây không còn là câu chuyện về tình hữu nghị hay ý thức hệ, mà là vấn đề lợi ích. Nga cần đạn dược và nhân lực. Bắc Triều Tiên cần tiền và công nghệ. Iran cần thị trường xuất khẩu dầu mỏ và đối tác quân sự. Trung Quốc cần các đối tác sẵn sàng cùng mình chống lại những gì Bắc Kinh coi là một sự áp đặt ngoài lãnh thổ của luật pháp và trừng phạt từ Mỹ. Mỗi bên đều có thứ mình muốn và mỗi bên đều có thứ để trao đổi. CRINK không phải là một phiên bản NATO đối lập, không phải là một liên minh có bộ chỉ huy chung. Không có nghĩa vụ phòng thủ tập thể giữa bốn nước và cũng không phải lúc nào các thành viên cũng sẵn sàng bảo vệ nhau bằng sức mạnh quân sự. Do vậy, cuộc xung đột Mỹ - Iran đã bộc lộ các giới hạn của nhóm. Nhưng cũng sẽ sai lầm nếu cho rằng cả bốn nước này không hoàn toàn liên kết với nhau. Mạng lưới hợp tác này ngày càng được thắt chặt và được thúc đẩy bởi các lợi ích chiến lược, nhu cầu chống chịu các lệnh trừng phạt, cũng như là mong muốn xây dựng một trật tự quốc tế mà họ cho là ít bị chi phối hơn từ sức mạnh của Mỹ và phương Tây. Bài toán nhiều mặt trận : Mối họa lớn nhất cho Mỹ Dù không phải là một khối thống nhất, đó cũng không hẳn là những quốc gia hành động riêng lẻ. Chính vùng xám này giữa hai cách hiểu là điều khiến giới phân tích ở Mỹ đặc biệt lo lắng. Trong một tập sách mới do tổ chức Foundation for Defense of Democraties vừa phát hành, tựa đề « Trục các quốc gia gây hấn : Đối phó với sự hợp tác giữa Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên », các tác giả cảnh báo rằng cách thức mà bốn chế độ chuyên chế này hỗ trợ nhau trong các lĩnh vực quân sự, kinh tế, không gian mạng và công nghệ có nguy cơ đặt Hoa Kỳ trước nhiều thách thức lớn. Trả lời kênh Fox News Digital ngày 29/07/2026, Mark Montgomery, cựu đô đốc Hải quân Mỹ, đã vẽ ra một kịch bản tồi tệ nhất là ông cho là mối nguy hiểm lớn nhất : « bài toán nhiều mặt trận đồng thời ». Hoa Kỳ sẽ phải ứng phó ra sao nếu trong cùng một lúc xảy ra đối đầu giữa Trung Quốc và Đài Loan, Bắc Triều Tiên có thể gây áp lực với Hàn Quốc hoặc tiến hành các cuộc tấn công hạn chế nhằm kìm chân lực lượng Mỹ, và một cuộc xung đột giữa Nga và các quốc gia Baltic thành viên NATO, kèm theo đó là các hoạt động khủng bố hoặc hành động thù nghịch từ Iran ? Mark Montgomery kết luận : Hoa Kỳ nên xem nhóm bốn nước này là một « mối đe dọa thống nhất, đe dọa tổng hợp » mà họ phải đối đầu trong « mọi khu vực khủng hoảng » !

Silicon Bites Ep376 | 2026-07-29 | ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

In this episode of El Niño Speaks, José Niño talked with Louis from Eviction Notice about Kevin O'Leary's rosy predictions on the Iran war, the industrial realities behind Iran's cheap Shahed drones, and why a full-scale ground invasion remains off the table for the Americans.Follow Louis on Twitter: https://x.com/LouisWordGeniusRumble: https://rumble.com/user/EvictionNotice/videos?e9s=src_v1_cblIf you liked the show, feel free to continue supporting my work. Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/josenino This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.josealnino.org/subscribe

Le numéro un malien Assimi Goïta et le président sénégalais Bassirou Diomaye Faye ont évoqué la crise sécuritaire au Sahel, mardi 28 juillet, à Bamako. Depuis au moins deux ans, les activités subversives se multiplient sur ce théâtre d'opération, à coups de drones et de conseillers militaires. Outre la Russie, quelles sont les puissances extérieures à la manœuvre ? Vincent Crouzet est un ancien collaborateur de la DGSE, les services secrets français. Aujourd'hui, il est expert en renseignement et vient de publier Le jour où je suis devenu espion aux Éditions de l'Observatoire. RFI : Dans la guerre au Nord Mali, comment expliquez-vous l'échec militaire des Russes à Kidal il y a trois mois ? Vincent Crouzet : Il y a de nombreuses raisons. La première, c'est que les Russes et les forces armées maliennes ne bénéficient pas du soutien de la population locale dans cette partie-là du Mali. Ensuite, les Russes, tout de même, fonctionnent en mode dégradé depuis quelques mois sur cette zone et n'ont plus la puissance qu'ils avaient quand ils ont commencé leurs opérations à partir de la fin de l'année 2022. Et puis ensuite, il y a évidemment cette alliance entre les mouvements touaregs de l'Azawad et les mouvements jihadistes. Pourquoi dites-vous que les Russes sont en mode dégradé ? Tout simplement parce que l'Etat russe et parce que la puissance militaire russe sont en mode dégradé partout dans le monde. Et les Russes pâtissent, malheureusement pour eux, de leur grande faiblesse structurelle sur le plan militaire. L'Africa Corps qui nous est proposé aujourd'hui est beaucoup moins puissant que la force Wagner en 2022-2023. Lors d'une première défaite des Russes au Nord Mali, c'était à Tinzaouatène, il y a deux ans, la Direction générale du renseignement ukrainien a reconnu avoir fourni une assistance militaire aux rebelles touaregs. De quel soutien pouvait-il s'agir ? D'abord, ce ne sont pas des aides massives. C'est un soutien qui n'est pas visible. Sinon, il serait beaucoup plus dénoncé par la puissance russe. Et c'est certainement, comment dire, l'appui, le soutien de quelques conseillers militaires avec peut-être des livraisons de matériels aux groupes touaregs. Voulez-vous dire que les Ukrainiens aident les rebelles à piloter des drones ? C'est possible, mais très honnêtement, je n'en sais rien. Y a-t-il des conseillers militaires ukrainiens sur le terrain ? Certainement, mais en nombre limité. Et y a-t-il des conseillers militaires français auprès des insurgés, comme l'affirme Bamako ? Non, c'est de la propagande. C'est de la propagande des trois juntes sahéliennes. L'Afrique de papa, c'est terminé. Donc nous ne menons plus d'activités subversives dans ces trois pays. Et parmi les conseillers militaires ukrainiens, peut-il y avoir d'anciens légionnaires français, qui parlent donc français ? Alors dans la Légion étrangère française, il y a de très nombreux Ukrainiens qui ont quitté la Légion en 2022 pour se mettre au service, naturellement, de leur pays, avec leur savoir-faire, leurs compétences, leur formation. C'est possible. Donc, il est possible que d'anciens légionnaires ukrainiens se trouvent parmi ces éléments du renseignement militaire ukrainien qui seraient présents au Sahel. Mais pour l'instant, rien n'est confirmé de ce côté-là. Des armes russes viennent d'être débarquées au port de Lomé à destination du Mali. Est-ce à dire que le Togo est en train de tomber dans l'orbite de Moscou ? Je ne pense pas que le Togo tombe dans l'orbite de Moscou. Ce que l'on sait précisément, on sait que des drones Shahed ont été livrés au Mali pour lutter contre les rebelles touaregs et les rebelles jihadistes. Ça, c'est un fait. On n'a pas encore confirmation de l'engagement de ces drones Shahed sur le théâtre des opérations, mais ça ne saurait tarder. Et donc ce sont principalement des vecteurs aériens qui seraient livrés via le Togo. Y a-t-il des conseillers militaires russes au nord du Togo pour combattre les jihadistes ? Je suis incapable de répondre à votre question en la matière, mais il est possible que l'influence russe s'étende à certains États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, et le Togo pourrait être une cible prioritaire au cours des prochains mois. Le coup d'État raté au Bénin au mois de décembre dernier, qui pouvait être derrière ? Éventuellement ou naturellement, ou évidemment les Russes. Evidemment, les Russes, à peu de frais, essayent de déstabiliser encore des pays qui ne sont pas tombés sous leur coupe, tout naturellement. Maintenant, les Russes ont ciblé certains pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Le chef putschiste de Cotonou, le colonel Tigri, après l'échec de son opération, s'est enfui par la frontière togolaise. Est-ce que vous savez où il pourrait être aujourd'hui ? Absolument pas. Mais vraisemblablement dans un des trois pays sahéliens, le Mali, le Niger ou le Burkina, vraisemblablement plus au Burkina Faso. Ce qui ressort des documents de la compagnie russe Africa Politology, révélés notamment par RFI en mars dernier, c'est que la Côte d'Ivoire est dans le viseur des Russes qui auraient pris contact avec des proches de l'ancien président Gbagbo et avec l'ancien Premier ministre Guillaume Soro lui-même. Est-ce que cela vous paraît crédible ?    Ça me paraît crédible. Alors Africa Politology, c'est une structure qui succède à Africa Initiative ou qui vient en complément d'Africa Initiative. Donc une structure d'influence, notamment d'amplification des fausses informations, des fake news sur les réseaux sociaux, une structure de propagande panafricaniste prorusse. Il est tout à fait possible que la Côte d'Ivoire soit ciblée. Pourquoi ? Parce que la Côte d'Ivoire reste quand même un terrain propice aux partenariats stratégiques et économiques avec la France. Et évidemment, cela devient une cible naturelle pour les Russes, malheureusement. Les Russes n'ont pas su peser sur l'élection du président Ouattara l'année dernière. Mais néanmoins, ils souhaitent bien déstabiliser par des opérations subversives de guerre informationnelle et autres. Voilà ce qui continue à fonctionner en Afrique de l'Ouest. Et savez-vous où se trouve Guillaume Soro aujourd'hui ? Absolument pas.

A.M. Edition for July 28. Monday's slump in chip stocks spreads to Asian markets. Finance editor Alex Frangos says new concerns that China is catching up in the technological arms race come just as investors brace for updates on how much hyperscalers are spending on the AI buildout. Plus, as Volodymyr Zelensky returns to the White House, WSJ's Marcus Walker says the Ukrainian president is hoping to turn President Trump's fresh optimism about the war against Russia into a promise of more support. And Mercedes-Benz is the latest automaker to warn of headwinds in China, as the country's appetite for foreign cars continues to decline. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce. Fundraising for equipment through Dzyga's Paw, and trucks for Car4Ukraine, and to support Silicon Curtain trips to Ukraine, to record interviews on the ground.Donate to help out:https://dzygaspaw.com/projectshttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaigns----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Today I'm speaking with Operator Starsky, a former Ukrainian National Guardian, blogger, and inspiration for everyone who is following the war, and supporting a Ukrainian victory. He has created one of the most popular and original YouTube channels dedicated to the international community. I'm not sure you need an introduction – I'm sure most people watching this channel will have seen your videos! ----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@PropagandaStudyInstitutehttp://psi-eu.org/https://www.youtube.com/@StarskyUA----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Livestream with Yuri RashkinLINKS:https://rashkinreport.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rashkin-report/id1183073638----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/50foruahttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Silicon Bites Ep374 | 2026-07-25 | THE MOBILISATION TRAP: Russia under Putin has become a cage. Sure, the door is half open at present but could slam shut at any moment. At a moment of Putin's choosing. Putin has built the cage the trap Russians for the slaughter — but it still won't save him.In the space of an intense four days, and over the preceding months, the Russian state has quietly assembled every component of a mass call-up — the laws, the registries, the internal-security powers, the exit controls — without saying the word "mobilisation" out loud once. The decision has been made in all but name. And here is the thing the Kremlin will not tell the men it is about to feed into the zero line, the meat grinder: this mobilisation is engineered to fail. It will be the largest deliberate transfer of Russian men into a drone-saturated kill zone in the history of this war. Putin has no choice. And no chance of success, if this is his delusion.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:ISW-based reporting on mobilisation preparations and Rosgvardia amendments (22 July 2026)TVP World — Duma law on unexpunged criminal records; Goremykin; November 2025 reservist lawThe Moscow Times — "civic death" bills pass Duma second/third readings, 22 July 2026The Barents Observer — register mechanics; First Department characterisationKyiv Post — scope of restrictions on exiled RussiansAmnesty International — draft law "On temporary restrictive measures…", 20–22 July timelineKyiv Post — Kovalenko: 500,000 autumn mobilisation; SZRU contract and casualty figures (18 July 2026)Euromaidan Press — 500,000 warning; SZRU figures; Syrskyi's 409,000 / 20-million-pool assessmentLIGA.net — Kovalenko on Kiriyenko and Gerasimov's assurances to PutinRBC-Ukraine — Zelensky, 24 July 2026, "clear intelligence" of autumn mobilisationDagens — Mozhem Obyasnit passport-search data (+221%); exit panicUNN / Centre for Countering Disinformation — passport appointment obstructionUNITED24 Media — digital draft registry, automatic restrictions, 2022 exodus figuresMyAttorneyUSA legal survey — electronic summons regime, 30-day departure ban, "crypto-mobilisation"Escudo Digital / DigitalShield — CIA life-expectancy assessment; Frontelligence desertion estimate; recruitment-flow declineFeygin–Osechkin livestream, 24 July 2026 (YouTube, Mark Feygin channel) — Osechkin on FSB detention centres, airport processing upgrades, FSB analytical warnings, frontline self-mutilation accounts.----------

Silicon Bites Ep365 | 2026-07-10 | Why Chernobyl? Of all the targets available to Russian planners, why does this state return, again and again, to the site of the 1986 catastrophe? Because Chernobyl is not just a place. It is the single most potent symbol in the Ukrainian national story — the lie that killed the Soviet Union, the wound out of which, as the liquidators themselves say, Ukrainian independence was born. Striking it is not targeting. It is messaging.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Kevin Leach is the main director for Sabre Training Advisory Group, a professional military training non-profit. Their aim is to give Ukrainian defenders the skills to come home alive. Kevin is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, with a long history of working in Ukraine and in military affairs. He served as a sergeant from 2008-2018, specialising in armoured reconnaissance. He leads a weekly segment on the Mriya Report called “Come Home Alive” covering the Key Elements of Training for the Ukrainian army. ----------LINKS:https://x.com/SabreAdvisory https://www.sabretag.org/donate https://www.instagram.com/sabre_tag/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mriyareport/episodes/Kevin-Leach--Sabre-Advisory-Training-on-Key-Elements-of-Training---May-29--2024-e2kavap----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep373 | 2026-07-24 | ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Silicon Bites SW26-220 | 2026-07-24 | ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia's war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:Wildberries Burns, Russia's War Economy Wobbles, and Ukraine's Protests Force Reform | Anna Danylchuk Jonathan Fink welcomes Anna Danylchuk back to discuss why the Wildberries logistics-hub fires in Russia matter strategically: such hubs support the Russian war economy and drone supply chains, amplify economic strain already worsened by internet shutdowns and a gasoline crisis, and expose Russian vulnerability while prompting dissatisfaction among businesses and oligarchs. They contrast Ukraine's targeted strikes and adherence to rules of war with Russia's intensified ballistic-only attacks designed to maximize terror and deny sleep in Kyiv. Anna Danylchuk argues these attacks unify Ukrainians and increase support for leadership, while Russian society reacts oppositely—becoming more anti-war and anti-Putin as costs rise and myths of safety collapse. They then cover Ukraine's calm, civic-minded protests and Zelensky's responsiveness, linking them to military reform, soldier motivation, rotation and demobilization concerns, and the appointment of General Drapaty as a credible, combat-experienced, reform-minded commander amid a rapidly changing drone-driven war.----------

Today I'm speaking with Anders Puck Nielsen, military analyst and influential YouTuber based in Denmark. He specialises in naval warfare and strategy. His public project now spans a YouTube channel, the Logic of War newsletter, and the book The Logic of War, which he describes as an accessible introduction to modern warfare.----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@UCPPfK7Nq_yQR84rn1wcTXBg https://www.youtube.com/@UCmNyUERdr5gaSsZVNY7O12A https://www.anderspucknielsen.dk/home/https://www.linkedin.com/in/anderspucknielsen/https://www.logicofwar.com/----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Kevin Leach is the main director for Sabre Training Advisory Group, a professional military training non-profit. Their aim is to give Ukrainian defenders the skills to come home alive. Kevin is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, with a long history of working in Ukraine and in military affairs. He served as a sergeant from 2008-2018, specialising in armoured reconnaissance. He leads a weekly segment on the Mriya Report called “Come Home Alive” covering the Key Elements of Training for the Ukrainian army. ----------LINKS:https://x.com/SabreAdvisory https://www.sabretag.org/donate https://www.instagram.com/sabre_tag/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mriyareport/episodes/Kevin-Leach--Sabre-Advisory-Training-on-Key-Elements-of-Training---May-29--2024-e2kavap----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep371 | 2026-07-20 | ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Silicon Bites Ep372 | 2026-07-21 | They've Started Burying Putin Alive. The oligarchs are running, Beijing is hedging, the ratings are collapsing — every group that holds this regime up is quietly preparing for the world after Putin. They have not yet moved against him, but the life support for his regime is being switched off one input at a time. Soon the plug will be pulled, as Putin's relentless war is dragging Russia down the abyss and taking everyone in a benighted, failing empire with him. In a single week in July 2026, Bloomberg documented the oligarchs stampeding for the exits with tens of billions of dollars; the Wall Street Journal revealed that Xi Jinping now treats Putin as a supplicant and is quietly building relationships with the people who will run Russia after him; the Kremlin's own pollsters recorded the steepest one-week collapse in Putin's approval since the mobilisation panic of 2022; and Russia's Defence Ministry admitted its flagship drone force has recruited barely a quarter of its plan. Four pillars. One message. The people who know this regime best have stopped believing in it.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Bloomberg — "Russia's Elite Are Moving Billions Beyond Putin's Wartime Grasp" (16 July 2026), via Yahoo FinanceMeduza — "Russia's richest businessmen are moving billions abroad amid fears of asset seizures, Bloomberg reports" (16 July 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — "Russian oligarchs move billions abroad for fear of asset confiscation" (16 July 2026)The Wall Street Journal — "Putin Was Xi's Role Model. Now He's the Junior Partner." (14–15 July 2026), via tovima.comMeduza — recap of the WSJ report on Power of Siberia 2 and Putin's supplicant status (15 July 2026)RBC-Ukraine — "Xi preparing for power shift in Russia as Putin losing China's trust — WSJ" (15 July 2026)Meduza — "Putin's approval rating just posted its steepest drop since Russia invaded Ukraine" (17 July 2026)Kyiv Post — "Putin's Approval Rating Sees Biggest Weekly Drop Since 2022 Amid Fuel Crisis" (17 July 2026)Charter97 — "Putin's Approval Rating In Russia Has Fallen To A Record Low" (17 July 2026)Kyiv Post — "Russia Struggles to Staff New Drone Force as Military Recruitment Falters – Report" (20 July 2026, citing CIT and Ukraine's SZRU)Janis Kluge — "Federal budget data shows 71,216 new contract soldiers in Q1 2026, lowest in 3 years" (9 June 2026)----------

Do tanque e do porta-aviões do século XX aos drones baratos que destroem tanques de milhões, da IA que escolhe alvos em segundos (Lavender, Maven, Claude Mythos) aos robôs que já caminham no campo de batalha: neste episódio mergulhamos na maior revolução da tecnologia de guerra dos últimos 100 anos. Do “laboratório” da Ucrânia de drones FPV e fibra óptica, a IA transformou a decisão de matar em algoritmo, passando pela guerra de narrativas com deepfakes que ninguém mais sabe o que é real e o que está acontecendo. Guerra mais eficiente significa guerra melhor… ou só mais frequente e impessoal? Patronato do SciCast: 1. Patreon SciCast 2. Apoia.se/Scicast 3. Nos ajude via Pix também, chave: contato@scicast.com.br ou acesse o QRcode: Sua pequena contribuição ajuda o Portal Deviante a continuar divulgando Ciência! Contatos: contato@scicast.com.br https://twitter.com/scicastpodcast https://www.facebook.com/scicastpodcast https://www.instagram.com/PortalDeviante/ Fale conosco! E não esqueça de deixar o seu comentário na postagem desse episódio! Expediente: Produção Geral: Tarik Fernandes e André Trapani Equipe de Gravação: Luis Filipe Herdy, Gustavo Rebello, Gabriela Reciputti, Roberto Spinelli, Willian Spengler Citação ABNT: Scicast #692: Guerra sem humanos. Locução: Luis Filipe Herdy, Gustavo Rebello, Gabriela Reciputti, Roberto Spinelli, Willian Spengler. [S.l.] Portal Deviante, 20/07/2026. Podcast. Disponível em: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-692 Imagem de capa: O drone russo KNV, com munição (verde) à frente e unidade de desenrolar de fibra óptica (em preto) atrás - Divulgação/Uchkuinik Referências e Indicações Sugestões de literatura: REBELLO, Gustavo. O uso militar de IAs: a ficção científica parou de ser inofensiva. Portal Deviante, 17 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.deviante.com.br/noticias/o-uso-militar-de-ias-a-ficcao-cientifica-parou-de-ser-inofensiva/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. HOROWITZ, Michael. Entrevista concedida a Tyler Rogoway et al. How America’s Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone Became an Indispensable Weapon of War. The War Zone, 9 abr. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.twz.com/news-features/how-americas-shahed-136-clone-became-an-indispensable-weapon-of-war. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. BERNSTEIN, Yuval et al. ‘Lavender’: The AI machine directing Israel’s bombing spree in Gaza. +972 Magazine, Tel Aviv, 3 abr. 2024. Disponível em: https://www.972mag.com/lavender-ai-israeli-army-gaza/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. CUKOR, Drew et al. Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare. Nova York: HarperCollins, 2026. (Trechos disponíveis em: https://www.wired.com/story/project-maven-katrina-manson-book-excerpt/). DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (EUA). Project Maven (Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team). Washington, DC: DoD, 2017. Disponível em: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Maven. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. FEDOROV, Mykhailo. Ukraine overcomes critical obstacle to using fiber-optic drones. Defense Ministry of Ukraine, Kiev, 21 abr. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-overcomes-critical-obstacle-to-using-fiber-optic-drones/vi-AA21o96u. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. FOUNDATION ROBOTICS. Phantom MK-1 humanoid robot deployed to Ukraine for testing. Business Insider, 25 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.businessinsider.com/foundation-humanoid-robot-soldier-ukraine-testing-2026-4. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. LEE, Lloyd. Foundation Wants to Build an Army of Humanoid Robot Soldiers. Business Insider, 25 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.businessinsider.com/foundation-humanoid-robot-soldier-ukraine-testing-2026-4. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. SCHANAHAN, Jack. Inside the Pentagon’s Project Maven. YouTube, 2026. Disponível em: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il-DWtgfqTk. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026.WIRED. Meet the Gods of AI Warfare. Wired, 23 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.wired.com/story/project-maven-katrina-manson-book-excerpt/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. Sugestões de filmes: Decisão de Risco (2015, dir. Gavin Hood) – Eye in the Sky: Drone warfare, “human in the loop” Slaughterbots (2017, curta-metragem da Future of Life Institute) – 8 minutos que mostram enxames de drones autônomos Resistência (2023, dir. Gareth Edwards) – The Creator: Guerra futurista com IA e robôs humanoides Jogos de Guerra (1983) – WarGames: Clássico sobre IA e guerra nuclear automatizada (liga direto com o “Dead Hand”). Sugestões de vídeos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8k8IQ1_X0 Sugestões de links: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-22/ubi-study-backed-by-openai-s-sam-altman-bolsters-support-for-basic-income https://www.anthropic.com/research/exploring-model-welfare https://www.anthropic.com/research/impact-software-development https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.00986 Sugestões de games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II / III (2022-2023) – Uso realista de drones FPV, enxames e guerra eletrônica. DEFCON (2006, ou remakes modernos) – Simulação de guerra nuclear com sistemas automatizados de retaliação. Arma 3 com mods de drones ucranianos (comunidade) – Simulação tática de guerra assimétrica com FPV e fibra óptica. Six Days in Fallujah (2021) – Combate urbano moderno com IA e robótica See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do tanque e do porta-aviões do século XX aos drones baratos que destroem tanques de milhões, da IA que escolhe alvos em segundos (Lavender, Maven, Claude Mythos) aos robôs que já caminham no campo de batalha: neste episódio mergulhamos na maior revolução da tecnologia de guerra dos últimos 100 anos. Do “laboratório” da Ucrânia de drones FPV e fibra óptica, a IA transformou a decisão de matar em algoritmo, passando pela guerra de narrativas com deepfakes que ninguém mais sabe o que é real e o que está acontecendo. Guerra mais eficiente significa guerra melhor… ou só mais frequente e impessoal? Patronato do SciCast: 1. Patreon SciCast 2. Apoia.se/Scicast 3. Nos ajude via Pix também, chave: contato@scicast.com.br ou acesse o QRcode: Sua pequena contribuição ajuda o Portal Deviante a continuar divulgando Ciência! Contatos: contato@scicast.com.br https://twitter.com/scicastpodcast https://www.facebook.com/scicastpodcast https://www.instagram.com/PortalDeviante/ Fale conosco! E não esqueça de deixar o seu comentário na postagem desse episódio! Expediente: Produção Geral: Tarik Fernandes e André Trapani Equipe de Gravação: Luis Filipe Herdy, Gustavo Rebello, Gabriela Reciputti, Roberto Spinelli, Willian Spengler Citação ABNT: Scicast #692: Guerra sem humanos. Locução: Luis Filipe Herdy, Gustavo Rebello, Gabriela Reciputti, Roberto Spinelli, Willian Spengler. [S.l.] Portal Deviante, 20/07/2026. Podcast. Disponível em: https://www.deviante.com.br/podcasts/scicast-692 Imagem de capa: O drone russo KNV, com munição (verde) à frente e unidade de desenrolar de fibra óptica (em preto) atrás – Divulgação/Uchkuinik Referências e Indicações Sugestões de literatura: REBELLO, Gustavo. O uso militar de IAs: a ficção científica parou de ser inofensiva. Portal Deviante, 17 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.deviante.com.br/noticias/o-uso-militar-de-ias-a-ficcao-cientifica-parou-de-ser-inofensiva/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. HOROWITZ, Michael. Entrevista concedida a Tyler Rogoway et al. How America's Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone Became an Indispensable Weapon of War. The War Zone, 9 abr. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.twz.com/news-features/how-americas-shahed-136-clone-became-an-indispensable-weapon-of-war. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. BERNSTEIN, Yuval et al. ‘Lavender': The AI machine directing Israel's bombing spree in Gaza. +972 Magazine, Tel Aviv, 3 abr. 2024. Disponível em: https://www.972mag.com/lavender-ai-israeli-army-gaza/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. CUKOR, Drew et al. Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare. Nova York: HarperCollins, 2026. (Trechos disponíveis em: https://www.wired.com/story/project-maven-katrina-manson-book-excerpt/). DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (EUA). Project Maven (Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team). Washington, DC: DoD, 2017. Disponível em: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Maven. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. FEDOROV, Mykhailo. Ukraine overcomes critical obstacle to using fiber-optic drones. Defense Ministry of Ukraine, Kiev, 21 abr. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-overcomes-critical-obstacle-to-using-fiber-optic-drones/vi-AA21o96u. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. FOUNDATION ROBOTICS. Phantom MK-1 humanoid robot deployed to Ukraine for testing. Business Insider, 25 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.businessinsider.com/foundation-humanoid-robot-soldier-ukraine-testing-2026-4. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. LEE, Lloyd. Foundation Wants to Build an Army of Humanoid Robot Soldiers. Business Insider, 25 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.businessinsider.com/foundation-humanoid-robot-soldier-ukraine-testing-2026-4. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. SCHANAHAN, Jack. Inside the Pentagon's Project Maven. YouTube, 2026. Disponível em: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il-DWtgfqTk. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026.WIRED. Meet the Gods of AI Warfare. Wired, 23 mar. 2026. Disponível em: https://www.wired.com/story/project-maven-katrina-manson-book-excerpt/. Acesso em: 29 abr. 2026. Sugestões de filmes: Decisão de Risco (2015, dir. Gavin Hood) – Eye in the Sky: Drone warfare, “human in the loop” Slaughterbots (2017, curta-metragem da Future of Life Institute) – 8 minutos que mostram enxames de drones autônomos Resistência (2023, dir. Gareth Edwards) – The Creator: Guerra futurista com IA e robôs humanoides Jogos de Guerra (1983) – WarGames: Clássico sobre IA e guerra nuclear automatizada (liga direto com o “Dead Hand”).   Sugestões de vídeos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8k8IQ1_X0 Sugestões de links: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-22/ubi-study-backed-by-openai-s-sam-altman-bolsters-support-for-basic-income https://www.anthropic.com/research/exploring-model-welfare https://www.anthropic.com/research/impact-software-development https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.00986 Sugestões de games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II / III (2022-2023) – Uso realista de drones FPV, enxames e guerra eletrônica. DEFCON (2006, ou remakes modernos) – Simulação de guerra nuclear com sistemas automatizados de retaliação. Arma 3 com mods de drones ucranianos (comunidade) – Simulação tática de guerra assimétrica com FPV e fibra óptica. Six Days in Fallujah (2021) – Combate urbano moderno com IA e robótica

Silicon Bites Ep369 | 2026-07-18 | Why Russians can't have nice things — Ukraine burns the warehouses of the "Russian Amazon", and the war finally arrives at the Muscovite front door- challenging the comfort, convenience and privilege of the Russia elite population. On the morning of Saturday 18 July 2026, Muscovites woke to a black pall hanging over their capital. Not refineries this time, though those fires have become a familiar site to Russians. From the burning logistics empire of Wildberries — the "Russian Amazon" — struck by Ukrainian long-range drones in Elektrostal and in Kotovsk, alongside a blazing oil depot in Noginsk. Zelensky calls it "long-range sanctions." We call it the moment the consumer economy of the Muscovite heartland discovered that Putin's war has a return address. Strike Nova Poshta depots in Ukraine, well, there are consequences, Russians. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Kyiv Independent — "2 Russian logistics centers, oil depot hit as Kyiv launches hundreds of drones towards Moscow" (18 July 2026)Militarnyi — "Retaliatory Strikes Against Russia's Warehouse Infrastructure Have Begun: Wildberries Terminals in Moscow and Tambov Regions are on Fire" (18 July 2026)Ukrinform — "USF confirm strike on Wildberries warehouse in Moscow region" (18 July 2026)UNITED24 Media — "Ukraine Brings the War to Russia's Amazon as Wildberries Hubs Go Up in Flames" (18 July 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — "Large-scale drone attack on Moscow and Moscow Oblast: oil depot and Wildberries warehouse on fire" (18 July 2026)UNN — "Wildberries warehouses, hit by Ukrainian UAVs, were used to supply sanctioned drone parts" (18 July 2026)UNN — "OSINT analysis confirmed a fire at the Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region after a UAV attack – Astra" (18 July 2026)CNN — "Eight warehouse workers killed in deadliest Ukrainian attacks inside Russia for two years" (18 July 2026)CBS News — "Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian warehouses and oil depot kill at least 8, injure over 60" (18 July 2026)Euronews — "Ukrainian forces strike 'major' logistics hubs in central Russia" (18 July 2026)Defense Express / defence-ua.com — "Moscow Region on Fire — Ukraine Attacked Warehouses and Refineries in Several Cities Near Capital of russia" (18 July 2026)Mezha/Bukvy — "Ukraine strikes Russian Wildberries warehouses" (18 July 2026)----------

Silicon Bites Ep370 | 2026-07-19 | At half past one this morning, Sunday the 19th of July, the explosions started again in Kyiv. Forty-one missiles and 125 drones launched across Ukraine overnight — twenty-five of them ballistic — and most of the missiles, in Zelensky's own assessment, aimed at the capital. Three people killed in Kyiv at a minimum – 20 or more across the country. At least sixteen wounded – though the tally is rising through the day as rescue efforts continue. Fires burning in five districts of the city. Residential buildings, offices, a student dormitory, industrial premises — hit and ablaze, per the State Emergency Service.Has Putin lost his mind? Can he really think that this kind of mass terror strike is effective? The terror is real — but look closer: this is the logistics war, scaling up in real time, and Russia's vertical empire is losing it. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:AP (via WSLS/KRMG), "1 killed, 16 wounded in an overnight Russian attack on Kyiv," 19 July 2026Kyiv Independent, live news feed, 19 July 2026 (Kyiv ballistic attack; Tambov Oblast warehouse strike)Kyiv Independent, "2 Russian logistics centers, oil depot hit as Kyiv launches hundreds of drones towards Moscow," 18 July 2026 NPR, "8 killed and more than 60 wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions," 18 July 2026Washington Post, "Russia rocks Kyiv with massive missile, drone attack," 2 July 2026 NPR, "Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine kill at least 22," 6 July 2026 (interceptor shortage; Zelensky quote) CNN, "Deadly Russian strikes hammer Kyiv on eve of critical NATO summit," 5–6 July 2026 (UN HRMMU casualty finding; third-deadliest attack) ABC News, "Russian overnight bombardment of Kyiv kills 22," 6 July 2026 (Russian MoD claims; district damage)Euromaidan Press, "Russia has hit over 200 Ukrainian locomotives this year," 4 July 2026 RailwayNews EU, "Russia's Attacks Targeting Ukrainian Locomotives," July 2026 (1,000+ rail attacks since early 2026) ISW / Critical Threats, "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 7, 2026" (shadow-fleet tanker strikes; Crimea electrical facilities; Kinburn Spit)ISW via Kyiv Post, "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 13, 2026" (Crimea isolation campaign; Oleksandrivka liberations)----------

Silicon Bites Ep368 | 2026-07-16 | Could sacking Fedorov be one of the worst self-inflicted wounds of Ukraine's war? Russia is celebrating the move, which means it can't be good, and how the decision by Zelenskyy has brought the cardboard protests back on to the streets. THE SYSTEM STRIKES BACK: Zelensky fires Mykhailo Fedorov — the most effective defence minister of the full-scale war — after six months, sides with the Soviet-schooled general, whose family it must be noted, still live in Russia, though apparently have cut him off. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Reuters (via US News) — Factbox: Who Is Ukraine's Mykhailo Fedorov, the Dismissed Defence Minister? (16 July 2026)Kyiv Independent — Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov, deepening turmoil in Ukraine's military leadership (15–16 July 2026) Kyiv Independent — 'Utterly baffling': Ukrainians outraged, call for protest after Zelensky ousts Fedorov (16 July 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — Zelenskyy could no longer tolerate ongoing conflict between Defence Minister Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi – UP sources (16 July 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — Protesters in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities call for Fedorov to be kept on as defence minister (16 July 2026) Euromaidan Press — "Cardboard" protests against Zelenskyy's firing of Fedorov erupt across Ukraine (16 July 2026) Euronews — Ukrainians hold rare wartime protest over defence minister's dismissal (16 July 2026) Euronews — Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine's popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov (15 July 2026)Bloomberg — Protests Flare in Kyiv Over Ouster of Popular Defense Minister (16 July 2026) AP (via ABC News) — Protesters rally in Kyiv as Zelenskyy moves to oust Ukraine's defense minister (16 July 2026)----------

Bert Watson is an American government-relations consultant, U.S. Navy veteran and long-standing advocate for stronger U.S.–Ukraine relations who has travelled to Ukraine repeatedly, including eight visits by June 2026. His perspective is unusual because it combines political communications, defence and energy experience with repeated exposure to Ukrainian military units, command posts, special-forces headquarters, hospitals, humanitarian organisations and defence innovators. ----------LINKS:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/bert-watsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bertwatson/https://www.watsonandco.us/team----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

The military stand-off between the US and Iran has escalated again after Donald Trump ordered a seven-hour bombing campaign targeting Iranian missile barracks, coastal radar sites, and naval bases. The inevitable Iranian response targeting its Gulf neighbours was met with rare daytime strikes by American forces. On today's episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant sits down with Tim Mak and Jacqueline Cole from the Iran War Dispatches Substack to discuss the significance of what each side is hitting and how the Pentagon is adapting its tactics against asymmetric Iranian warfare. They also discuss whether Trump's brutal threat to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges will bring Tehran to the negotiating table.Plus, worrying signs that Iran is becoming more militarised and why Jackie and Tim went to Armenia to find out what ordinary Iranians think of the war. HighlightsUS strikes Iran twice in 24 hours after Shahed attacks hit Gulf statesTrump's ultimatum to Iran: ‘Negotiate or we destroy your infrastructure'CONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantTim Mak, founder Iran War Dispatches @timkmakJacqueline Cole, journalist Iran War Dispatches @jacmcoleWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Trump's three options to solve his Iran problemhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/09/trump-three-options-return-warTrump U-turns on Hormuz toll after one dayhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/14/trump-hormuz-toll-uturn-one-day/Even Iran's children's authors are losing hopehttps://www.iranwar.news/p/even-irans-childrens-authors-areIran War Dispatches: https://www.iranwar.news/The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Producer: Peter ShevlinVideo Producer: Max BowerResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silicon Bites Ep367 | 2026-07-14 | This episode: The Butcher's Bill. 1.4 million casualties, up to 450,000 dead — Russia is bleeding at World War Two scale for a war that isn't moving. Mobilization is now the Kremlin's only card. And it's a losing one. The numbers are now in, cross-confirmed by Washington think tanks, British intelligence, independent Russian journalists counting graves, and Ukraine's own commander-in-chief. Russia has suffered around 1.4 million battlefield casualties. As many as 450,000 of its soldiers are dead. No major power has lost anything like this in any war since 1945. And here is the part the Kremlin cannot fix – Russia is now losing men faster than it can recruit them. The war machine is consuming itself. Mobilization is coming — and mobilization will not save Putin. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:CSIS — "Russian Blood and Treasure: The Ballooning Costs of Putin's War" (Seth G. Jones & Riley McCabe)CNN — "Bloodier than Stalingrad: Number of casualties in Russia's war on Ukraine reaches 2 million" (2 July 2026)Kyiv Post — "US Think Tank: WWI-Scale Casualties, Civil Unrest Undermine Russia's War in Ukraine"The New Voice of Ukraine — "Russian losses nearly 8-to-1: CSIS"Mediazona (with BBC Russian) — "Russian losses in the war with Ukraine. Mediazona count, updated" (230,624 confirmed, 3 July 2026)Mediazona & Meduza — "352,000 deaths in four years" (probate registry estimate, 9 May 2026)Kyiv Independent — "Over 230,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation"Ukrainska Pravda — "Ukraine's commander-in-chief: pace of Russian advance has more than halved" (10 July 2026)Euromaidan Press — "With a 2-to-1 edge, Russia shrank its offensive from 13 fronts to 6, Syrskyi says"Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine war latest: Russian territorial advances slowed by more than half in 2026, Syrskyi says"Kyiv Post — "Syrsky Says Russia's 2026 Offensive Failed Despite Nearly 2-to-1 Troop Advantage" (incl. Zelensky Ankara remarks)Wikipedia (aggregating BBC/GCHQ, The Telegraph, Novaya Gazeta, Ukrainian General Staff) — "Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian war"----------

Silicon Bites SW26-219 | 2026-07-14 | The Siege of Crimea: How Ukraine Is Sinking Russia's Shadow Fleet. For one week — from the sixth of July to the twelfth — a Russian ship was hit in the Sea of Azov, on average, one every hundred and twelve minutes. And it's still going on now. Will there be any vessels left? By the count of Ukraine's drone command, ninety Russian vessels were struck in that single week: tankers, tugboats, ferries, dry cargo ships. On the night of July ninth alone, twelve tankers, a tug and a cargo ship were hit — and we know some of those ships burned not from Kyiv, but from the Russian governor of Rostov Oblast, who confirmed the fires in Taganrog Bay, the evacuated crews, and, in a later strike, a dead sailor, himself. That total may now have exceed 100 vessels, and is still rising daily, hourly. And Moscow's response? Retreat. Russia has stopped accepting applications for transit through the Kerch Strait. It has halted shipping on the Don-Azov Canal — the artery connecting its river fleet to the sea. It is pulling its ships off the water rather than defending them. Roughly a hundred and twenty Russian vessels are thought to operate in the Azov. Ukraine's tally says three-quarters of them have now been hit.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Dara Lutsai is a Ukrainian cultural communicator, researcher and content creator who explores Ukrainian history, literature, identity and popular culture for contemporary audiences. She is the founder of Hart (Гарт), a cultural media project devoted to rediscovering and explaining aspects of Ukrainian history and culture that have often been obscured, marginalised or distorted by imperial and Soviet narratives. Through her social-media channels and long-form content, Lutsai examines subjects ranging from Ukrainian folklore, literature and urban culture to sexuality, gender, historical memory and the persistence of social stereotypes. Recent programmes have explored themes such as eroticism in Ukrainian folklore and literature, the cultural history of misogyny, and the political instrumentalisation of so-called "traditional values". A recurring feature of her work is an effort to present Ukrainian culture as complex, diverse and historically autonomous, rather than viewing it through inherited Russian or Soviet frameworks. Her approach combines historical research with an accessible and often playful style, using contemporary digital formats to bring neglected cultural subjects to younger audiences.----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@gart_channelhttps://www.tiktok.com/@gart_channelhttps://www.instagram.com/dara.lutsai/https://www.patreon.com/cw/DaraGart----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Liubov Velychko is a Ukrainian investigative journalist based in Kyiv. Her reported areas include corruption, Russian disinformation, Russian intelligence-service influence operations, sanctions circumvention, energy politics, environmental crime and money laundering. She published in major Ukrainian outlets including LIGA.net, Mind.ua, Slovo i Dilo, and as a member of OCCRP and N-vestigate. Since Russia's full-scale invasion, she has focused heavily on Russia's information and influence infrastructure: FSB “temnyki” or talking-point systems, sanctions evasion, Russian lobbying in international institutions, and toxicity of Russian energy-sector influence. She also examines the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) not simply as a religious body, but as an influence network: financially dependent, hierarchically disciplined, culturally embedded and vulnerable to Moscow's coercive leverage.----------Linkshttps://texty.org.ua/articles/117235/sprobuj-rabstvo-tobi-spodobayetsya-chomu-svyashchennyky-ne-jdut-z-upc-mp/ ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/----------DESCRIPTION:How Moscow Uses the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as an Influence Network | Liubov Velychko in Kyiv Pechersk LavraUkrainian investigative journalist Liubov Velychko joins Jonathan in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to discuss how the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate functions not only as a religious body but as an influence network shaped by Russian political control. She explains the split between Ukraine's independent Orthodox Church and the Moscow-linked structure, why many priests and congregations remain (social ties, fear of Russian retaliation, finances, and legal/property constraints), and how narratives are produced hierarchically and delivered flexibly to different audiences under SBU monitoring. The conversation covers criminal cases against some priests for treason and collaboration, differences between occupied and free territories, and how Moscow weaponizes “religious persecution” claims abroad. ----------CHAPTERS:01:32 Why We're at Lavra03:01 Two Orthodox Churches05:38 Why Priests Stay09:08 Control and Coercion12:49 Why Congregations Attend14:25 How Narratives Spread17:53 SBU Monitoring and Cases22:40 Dangerous War Narratives24:37 Occupied Territory Playbook26:47 Democracy vs Obedience29:25 Church as Occupation Network33:08 Surviving Inside the System37:06 Weaponizing Religion Abroad----------

Adam McQuire and Holly Tann are British humanitarian volunteers from Liverpool who co-founded the non-profit organization Casus Pax. They have made numerous trips to Ukraine, delivering medical supplies, first-aid equipment, and educational materials to front-line regions including Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk.Beyond delivering life-saving aid, they have integrated into the local community and educational institutions in Zaporizhzhia, conducting first-aid and search-and-rescue training. Their specific contributions include: educational support, providing teaching equipment and STEM kits to secondary schools. First Aid Training: operating emergency skills classes for civilians, educators, and university staff. Academic Roles: serving as visiting professors at institutions like the National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic”.Their grassroots organization relies on donations and business sponsorships to sustain its ongoing supply runs. You can follow their relief efforts and humanitarian missions on the Casus Pax Instagram or view their latest updates via the Casus Pax Facebook page.----------LINKS:https://casuspax.org/https://www.instagram.com/casuspax/https://www.facebook.com/p/Casus-Pax-100087930990574/https://buymeacoffee.com/casuspaxhttps://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cpaxukrainehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/casus-pax/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://physicsworld.com/a/from-the-lab-to-ukraines-front-line/https://zp.edu.ua/all-news/treninhy-navychky-nadannia-pershoi-dopomohy-v-ekstrenykh-sytuatsiiakh/----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-malcolm-nancehttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Guest: SEAN M. WISWESSERCIA Senior Operations Officer (Ret.) / Consultant / Author and LecturerSean Wiswesser has thirty years of experience working as a national security professional with intelligence, foreign service, and defense organizations. He served on multiple overseas tours and many other deployments on temporary duty, including service in conflict zones and denied areas. He was a Chief of Station and had multiple joint-duty assignments with intelligence community partners. Sean currently consults for the Department of Defense for a number of companies, working on various programs, including weapons testing as well as intelligence support and training programs.Sean has been published with chapters in collaborative volumes with Army War College Press and Taylor and Francis (UK), as well as articles in the Journal of Small Wars and other publications. He has a column KREMLIN FILES with DC-based “The CIPHER Brief.” ----------BOOK:Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian intelligence and Putin's Secret War (2026)Published by Naval Institute Press. Sean Wiswesserhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1682476014----------LINKS:----------ARTICLES:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/russian-spies-so-reckless-says-former-cia-operative/----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-malcolm-nancehttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------DESCRIPTION:Former CIA senior operations officer Sean Wiswesser discusses his book and argues Russian intelligence is a central operating system of the Russian state, not a side tool of Putin. He says the West wrongly treated the post–Cold War intelligence confrontation as over while Moscow continued to view the U.S. as the main enemy, and he frames Putin's Russia as a “thugocracy” driven by terror, coercion, corruption, and unbounded risk-taking in Europe, including assassination plots and sabotage.----------

Ksenia Iliuk is the co-founder and COO of LetsData, an AI-powered narrative-intelligence and influence-operation detection platform that tracks coordinated information threats across 50+ countries. She has over a decade of experience countering digital threats and has worked with European governments, NATO and EU-linked bodies on resilience against information warfare. She co-founded Lets Data in 2022, during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawing on Ukraine's direct experience of wartime information warfare.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksenia-iliuk/https://letsdata.net/https://datainnovation.org/2025/10/5-qs-with-ksenia-iluik-co-founder-of-letsdata/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-malcolm-nancehttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Malcolm Nance is a former career US Naval Intelligence officer specializing in counter-terrorism, intelligence and violent extremism. He has been an advisor to the US government's law enforcement, Homeland Security and Intelligence agencies. As an Arabic-speaking special intelligence collections operator, field interrogator he provided top secret anti and counter-terrorism support to national intelligence agencies while on numerous reconnaissance and combat operations in the Balkans, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. On April 18, 2022, Nance revealed that he had joined the Ukrainian Foreign Legion in March 2022. In an interview with Michael Harriot of The Guardian, Nance alluded to African-American military aviator Eugene Bullard's service in the French Foreign Legion to his service in Ukraine, hoping to inspire "African Americans and young Americans who have been in the military" and describing the International Legion as "the pantheon of the defense of democracy in the defense of Ukraine".----------BOOKS: The Plot to Betray America: How Team Trump Embraced Our EnemiesImage of Hacking ISIS: How to Destroy the Cyber JihadThe Plot to Hack America: How Putin's Cyberspies and WikiLeaks Tried to StealDefeating ISIS: Who They Are, How They Fight, What They Believe----------LINKS:https://x.com/MalcolmNancehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Nancehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolmnance/https://www.spymuseum.org/host-an-event/spy-speaker-series/malcolm-nance/https://us.macmillan.com/author/malcolmnance----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-malcolm-nancehttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Livestream with Yuri RashkinLINKS:https://rashkinreport.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rashkin-report/id1183073638----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/50foruahttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-silicon-curtain----------We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Silicon Bites SW26-218 | 2026-06-25 | We Haven't Started Yet. The empty-threat doctrine: Putin reaches for Istanbul 2022, and his ministers promise the "real" war – claiming once more that Russia “has only just started' fighting – a claim that is getting hollower and more absurd by the day — while Moscow's own refinery burns and there is no hidden gear left to find.On the morning of 18 June, the largest drone raid of the entire war hit Moscow. Black smoke over the southern skyline. Soot raining onto the streets. The Kapotnya refinery — the plant that supplies roughly a third of the capital's fuel — on fire for the second time in a week. Vladimir Putin was 700 kilometres away in Kazan, smiling for the cameras at a summit with Southeast Asian leaders. He said nothing about the smoke.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It's the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Dr. Joshua E. "Bugsy" Segal is Co-Founder and Vice President for Strategy and Innovation at Deft9 Solutions, a Washington-DC-based national security consultancy. He carries a PhD in Russian Studies from George Washington University. His career has run for more than thirty years across military, civilian, and intelligence positions in US national security. He served as a naval officer and retired in 2020 after a closing tour as a lead planner at US Special Operations Command, working on counter-WMD and great-power-competition requirements. Since retirement, Segal has worked as a senior national security consultant focused on information warfare, arms control, and hybrid warfare strategies. ----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-e-segal-phd-%E2%80%9Cbugsy%E2%80%9D-394752a7/https://www.fpri.org/contributor/joshua-segal/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites SW26-217 | 2026-06-24 | Zelensky stops asking Lukashenko to stay out of the war — and starts counting down to the moment Ukraine removes the equipment Russia has placed on their territory to harm Ukraine, for him. He has been warned, but this warning also demonstrates a more muscular and confident approach from Ukraine. They are they only one globally who have shown the will and capacity to constrain and contain Russia and deliver consequences for its aggression.There is a clock counting down in Minsk now. It started on Friday. For four years and four months, the West has treated Alexander Lukashenko as a bystander to this war. A nervous neighbour. A man who lent Putin his territory once, in February 2022, watched the missiles fly out of his own country into Ukrainian apartment blocks, and then phoned Kyiv to apologise and explain it wasn't really his fault. The bystander narrative has been very convenient — for Lukashenko, for Moscow, and for every Western capital that would rather not think about NATO's longest land border with a hostile state, a willing puppet of the Kremlin's ambitions. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Kyiv Independent — "'A week will be enough' — Zelensky issues ultimatum to Lukashenko over drone-guidance equipment" (19 June 2026)UNITED24 Media — "'If He Does Not Do This, We Will': Zelenskyy Issues 7-Day Ultimatum to Lukashenko Over Border Military Tech" (19 June 2026)EUalive (via European Pravda) — "Zelenskyy issues ultimatum to Lukashenko: dismantle Russian drone retranslators or Ukraine will act" (20 June 2026)Yahoo News / Euronews wire — "Zelenskyy issues one-week ultimatum to Lukashenka over drone-guidance equipment" (20 June 2026): Censor.NET — "Zelenskyy issued an ultimatum to Lukashenko regarding relay stations" (19 June 2026)Charter97 — "Zelenskyy Issued An Ultimatum To Lukashenko" (19 June 2026)Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine denies Russian claim that Ukrainian drone struck bus carrying Belarusian children's football team" (17–18 June 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — "Kyiv posts Russian document refuting claim that Ukrainian drone hit bus carrying Belarusian children" (18 June 2026)Euronews — "Bus with Belarus children's football team hit by a drone in Russia, Moscow claims" (17 June 2026)RFE/RL — "Ukraine Denies Russian Claims Of Strike On Bus Carrying Belarusian Children" (17 June 2026)Kyiv Post — "Ukraine Has 500 Targets Ready in Belarus if Lukashenko Joins War" (26 May 2026)----------

Silicon Bites Ep358 | 2026-06-24 | They stole it. They sunbathed on it. They shipped their children to it. Now the petrol's gone — and that, finally, is the thing that is forcing Russians to flee Crimea. Today: ISLAND CRIMEA. Sunday morning, the twenty-first of June. Nine o'clock local time. And across the entire occupied Crimean Peninsula, the petrol pumps stop. Not rationed. Not coupon-only. Stopped. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin's man in Simferopol, posts the order to Telegram: from this hour, fuel goes only to the state. Petrol will be sold solely to the government agencies that keep the peninsula running and secure — and to nobody else. Not to you. Not to your car. Not to the tourist stranded sixty kilometres from a working tank.This is the prize Vladimir Putin seized in 2014 and called forever Russian. The sunlit trophy. The symbol of resurgent empire. And on a summer Sunday it cannot fill a single civilian fuel tank. Tonight: how Ukraine turned a trophy into an island, an asset into a liability — and why people who holidayed on stolen land will be stopped not by conscience, but by queue.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:AFP / The Moscow Times — Ukrainian Strikes on Russian-Annexed Crimea Kill 4, Pause Fuel Sales (21 Jun 2026)Associated Press / NPR — Ukrainian attacks prompt Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales (21 Jun 2026)Associated Press / CBC News — Russian-held Crimea halts civilian gasoline sales following Ukrainian attacks (21 Jun 2026)Bloomberg — Russia-Occupied Crimea Halts Fuel Sales After Ukrainian Attacks (21 Jun 2026)Euronews — Russian-occupied Crimea suspends petrol sales amid fuel crisis (21 Jun 2026)Reuters / U.S. News — Crimea Suspends Children's Summer Camps as Ukraine Strikes Squeeze Fuel Supplies (22 Jun 2026)Kyiv Independent — Children's camps in Crimea suspend arrivals as security concerns rose after Ukrainian drone strikes (22 Jun 2026)Kyiv Independent — Ukraine destroys key logistics bridge in Crimea, hits over 60 Russian military targets overnight (23 Jun 2026)Kyiv Independent — 'Hell is beginning' — Ukraine could isolate occupied Crimea as drone strikes disrupt logistics, Fedorov says (17 Jun 2026)Ukrainska Pravda (English) — Crimea will become isolated due to Ukrainian drone strikes, Ukraine's defence minister says (17 Jun 2026)----------

David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians.----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://www.protectingtherepublic.com/https://substack.com/@protectingtherepublichttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

H. Perry Boyle Jr. is the CEO and co-founder of MITS Capital LLC — Military Innovation Technology Solutions — and chairman of MITS Industries, the Danish-Ukrainian defence-tech joint venture announced in September 2025. He divides his time between Kyiv and Ketchum, Idaho. Boyle came to Ukrainian defence technology from three decades on Wall Street. He held senior positions at SAC Capital and Point72 — where he served as head of equities and capital development, managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios across global markets. His co-founders are Denys Gurak (COO and CIO, former venture partner at FF Venture Capital) and Anton Melnyk (Founding Partner, Ukraine-based). The MITS Industries board co-chairs are a former NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment and a retired US Army Colonel with 26 years in defence and transatlantic security — that combination signals the political-strategic positioning Boyle has built around the firm.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/perryboyle/https://www.cnas.org/people/h-perry-boylehttps://mits.capital/team/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep357 | 2026-06-22 | When the island runs dry: how Ukraine turned Putin's crown jewel into his most exposed nerve — an Achilles heel rather than a strategic asset – and why the pumps going dry on Russia Day's weekend is the moment the myth of Putin's invincibility died. At nine o'clock this morning, in occupied Crimea, the petrol stopped. Not only rationed. Not accepting coupon-only. Not capped at twenty litres. Stopped entirely. The panic has truly set in. The Kremlin's man on the peninsula, Sergey Aksyonov, posted to Telegram that from 09:00 on Sunday 21 June, fuel would be sold to nobody — not for cash, not by card, not on a voucher, not to a private citizen, not to a business. Only the state gets to refuel now. This of course puts the military requirements above the population. Absolutely standard for Russia. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Euronews — Russian-occupied Crimea suspends petrol sales amid fuel crisis (21 June 2026)The Moscow Times — Ukrainian Strikes on Russian-Annexed Crimea Kill 4, Pause Fuel Sales (21 June 2026)Bloomberg — Russia-Occupied Crimea Halts Fuel Sales After Ukrainian Attacks (21 June 2026)WRAL / AP — Ukrainian attacks prompt Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales (21 June 2026)The New Voice of Ukraine — Fuel sales halted in occupied Crimea as fire burns at Kerch fuel terminal (21 June 2026)The New Voice of Ukraine — Explosions reported across occupied Crimea amid large drone attack (21 June 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — Explosions reported in occupied Crimea, fires break out in Kerch (21 June 2026)LIGA.net — Video of the attacks on the Port of Kerch on June 21, 2026 (21 June 2026)Kyiv Independent — Oil terminal, port infrastructure reportedly set ablaze on both sides of Kerch Strait (21 June 2026)Kyiv Independent — Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil, gas sites in Crimea and Siberia (20 June 2026)Kyiv Independent — 'Hell is beginning' — Ukraine could isolate occupied Crimea, Fedorov says (17 June 2026)Ukrainska Pravda — Crimea will become isolated due to Ukrainian drone strikes, Ukraine's defence minister says (17 June 2026)----------

Paris-Kiev, c'est trois heures d'avion.Et sur ce même continent, il y a une guerre.Hadrien Canter l'a compris à 18 ans quand ses amis, rencontrés sur les bancs d'un lycée ukrainien, sont partis sur la ligne de front pour la guerre du Donbass en 2015.Mais rien ne le destinait à la défense.Avocat au barreau de Paris, il avait le profil d'un diplomate, pas celui d'un industriel de l'armement.Et puis en 2023, dans un hôtel soviétique de Zaporijjia, sous les attaques aériennes, il voit un soldat ukrainien scruter des écrans de drones pour repérer l'ennemi.Il se dit qu'une IA pourrait faire ce travail.L'idée d'Alta Ares naît de cette nuit-là, avec un premier logiciel, Gamma, qui analyse les flux vidéo en temps réel pour détecter automatiquement des objets et faire des corrections de tirs d'artillerie.Deux ans et demi plus tard, la société compte près de 70 personnes avec des bureaux en Ukraine, en France et aux États-Unis et remporte un prix de l'OTAN pour sa solution d'interception capable d'abattre les drones Shahed russes.Aujourd'hui, ils viennent de lever 50 millions d'euros pour industrialiser et produire leurs systèmes de défense à grande échelle.Parce qu'Alta Ares ne fait que du défensif : protéger un espace aérien, sauver des maisons et ne jamais frapper en premier. Là où d'autres cherchent à détruire celui qui attaque, eux se contentent de l'arrêter.Une frontière que beaucoup trouvent floue mais qu'Hadrien tient pour très claire : “On abat la flèche, pas l'archer.”Dans cet épisode, il raconte une guerre que l'Europe a longtemps regardée de loin, et un monde où l'usage de la force ne s'embarrasse plus de grand-chose.Hadrien nous explique :Pourquoi les cycles d'innovation militaire se comptent maintenant en semaines (voire en jours), et pourquoi une arme conçue il y a six mois est déjà dépasséeComment l'IA, loin de déshumaniser la guerre, remet l'humain au centre des décisionsLe rôle de la France dans l'indépendance de l'EuropePourquoi perdre l'industrie automobile européenne revient à perdre la prochaine guerreCe que devient la ligne de front quand elle se vide d'hommes et se remplit de robotsUne plongée rare dans la guerre contemporaine avec quelqu'un qui la vit de l'intérieur.Vous pouvez contacter Hadrien sur Linkedin.TIMELINE:00:00:00 - La guerre que l'Europe entière a choisi d'ignorer00:12:21 - La Russie qu'on ne montre jamais00:24:12 - La thèse d'Hadrien sur la vraie cause de la guerre en Ukraine00:31:36 - La faille de notre défense aérienne00:41:34 - Pourquoi une arme conçue il y a six mois est déjà obsolète00:50:38 - L'Europe peut-elle se défendre sans les Américains ?01:00:11 - Offense ou défense : une frontière de plus en plus floue01:09:42 - Est-ce qu'il faut automatiser la décision de tuer ?01:15:38 - Mettre à jour des armes de guerre comme des iPhones01:28:04 - Si l'Europe perd l'industrie automobile, elle perd la prochaine guerre01:39:04 - L'arme que seuls la France et les États-Unis maîtrisent01:52:53 - « Le plus difficile, c'est demain »01:59:09 - La ligne de front n'a plus rien d'humain02:10:55 - « Les drones ont remplacé l'artillerie »02:17:40 - Le drone à fibre optique que rien ne peut arrêter02:25:42 - Créer le Linux des drones intercepteursLes anciens épisodes de GDIY mentionnés : #534 - Sixte de Vauplane - Animaj - Le studio d'animation qui fait trembler Hollywood#515 - Pierre de Villiers - Ancien Chef d'État-major des Armées - "Nous ne sommes pas prêts pour la guerre"#420 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech#388 - Benoit Lemaignan - Verkor - "Pour avoir de l'impact climatique il faut aller vite et fort"#56 - Maxime Topolov - ADYAX - 13M€ de CA dans le luxe, les pieds dans les CrocsNous avons parlé de :EN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : une dizaine de morts dans des frappes « massives » à Kiev, Kharkiv et Dnipro, la cathédrale de la Dormition touchée dans la nuitAlta Ares, le parcours singulier d'une start-up française de drones militairesMissiles Shahed 136Propulsion à propergol solideThalesMH17 abattu en Ukraine : la Russie responsable, selon l'agence de l'ONU pour l'aviationMatthieu Stefani : l'entrepreneur a qui se confient les personnalités - #QuelleEpoque 31/01/2026Signature du traité d'amitié franco-polonais à NancyAlta Ares, startup en première ligne en Ukraine, lève 50 millions d'eurosLes recommandations de lecture :L'Axe du loup, de Sylvain TessonLe mage du Kremlin, de Giuliano da EmpoliLimonov, de Emmanuel CarrèreMémoires d'Hadrien, de Marguerite YourcenarLe Pingouin, de Andreï KourkovUn grand MERCI à nos sponsors : Squarespace : https://squarespace.com/doitQonto: https://qonto.com/r/2i7tk9 Brevo: brevo.com/doit eToro: https://bit.ly/3GTSh0k Payfit: payfit.com Club Med : clubmed.frCuure : https://cuure.com/product-onely (code DOIT)Vous pouvez retrouver la liste de tout le matériel utilisé pour enregistrer nos épisodes sur cette page.Vous souhaitez sponsoriser Génération Do It Yourself ou nous proposer un partenariat ?Contactez mon label Orso Media via ce formulaire.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Silicon Bites Ep356 | 2026-06-20 | On 12 June 2026, Vyacheslav Markhayev — Communist Party of the Russian Federation, sitting State Duma deputy, former Buryat OMON riot-police commander, former colonel of the Russian Interior Ministry — published a Telegram statement that, by the standards of the Russian state in 2026, should have produced an immediate Article 280.3 dissemination-of-false-information prosecution. Cross-confirmed across Meduza (12 June 2026), The Moscow Times (12 June 2026), Kyiv Post (12 June 2026), Novaya Gazeta Europe (12 June 2026), the statement read in part — and we paraphrase to preserve the substance:----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Michael Naki — long-form video analysis of 18 June 2026Meduza English — "Communist Party lawmaker warns Russia is 'on the brink of a social explosion' and demands a 'clear plan' to end the war" (12 June 2026) The Moscow Times — Markhayev statement coverage (12 June 2026).Kyiv Post — "Russian Lawmaker Warns of 'Social Explosion' Amid War Losses, Demands 'Public Plan' to End War" (12 June 2026).Eurasia Review — "Russia 'On Brink Of Social Explosion' Because Of Kremlin Policies Over The Last 25 Years – OpEd" (14 June 2026) Novaya Gazeta Europe — Markhayev statement and Russian-language criticism coverage (12 June 2026).The Moscow Times via Charter97 and Dagens.com — VTsIOM stopped publishing the open Putin trust rating after it fell to 29.5% in early April 2026; methodology change to door-to-door canvassing in mid-May 2026; closed-rating still at ~73% (8 June 2026).Mezha (Bukvy) — "VTsIOM halted open Putin approval rating after it fell below 30%" — methodology comparison between open recall and direct trust polling.Kyiv Independent — "Russian pollster stops publishing Putin's 'open trust' figures as ratings slide" (8 June 2026).Kyiv Independent — "Leaked Kremlin reports predict rising dissatisfaction with Putin, Zelensky claims" (14 June 2026)Kyiv Post — "Leaked Forecasts: Putin Faces Soaring Disapproval Ahead of Fall Elections" (14 June 2026)Janis Kluge via Yahoo / Daily Mail — Q1 2026 military spending analysis: 5.9 trillion rubles = 46% of federal budget = 30% YoY increase; military = two-thirds of revenues; oil/gas revenues -45% YoY; classified-spending category +40% to 40% of all expenditure; 12% of GDP per quarter on war.----------

Silicon Bites Ep355 | 2026-06-19 | A communist deputy from Buryatia has just told Putin the country is on the brink of a social explosion. How did it come to this, when Kyiv was supposed to fall in 3 days? No sirens, no shelters, no truth: why the Russian state no longer protects its own people, why the Z-bloggers are being forced to cover it up.On the morning of Thursday 18 June 2026, approximately 200 Ukrainian drones entered Russian airspace heading for Moscow. The Russian capital has the most concentrated, most layered, most expensive air-defence architecture in the world — A-135M, S-400, S-300PM2, Pantsir-S1, Tor-M2, with Pantsirs mounted on the roofs of the Foreign and Defence Ministry buildings in the city centre. Three to four concentric defensive rings around Moscow itself.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:----------

David Satter is a journalist and historian with unique insights into how the deformation and repression of the past, is having terrible consequences for present day Russia. David has written extensively about Russia and the Soviet Union, especially the decline and fall of the USSR and rise of post-Soviet Russia. David Satter became the first American journalist to be expelled from Russia since the Cold War in December 2013. This was perhaps not a surprising move, given that his books have covered topics such as the FSB's role in the apartment bombings that brought Putin to power. From 1976 to 1982 David was the Moscow correspondent of the Financial Times, and then became a special correspondent on Soviet affairs for The Wall Street Journal. He is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a fellow of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. ----------BOOKS:He is author of several books that are essential reading to help understand the origins of the current crisis, including the brilliantly named books: - It Was a Long Time Ago, and It Never Happened Anyway- Darkness at Dawn: The Rise of the Russian Criminal State- The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep----------LINKS:https://davidsatter.com/https://twitter.com/davidsatter?lang=enhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Satterhttps://www.hudson.org/experts/362-david-satterhttps://www.fpri.org/contributor/david-satter/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/authors/david-satter----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep354 | 2026-06-18 | Where is Nabiullina? — Russia's central banker vanishes, triggering rumours and uncertainty. Two weeks of unexplained absence, surrounding a figure that has done more than anyone else to keep Putin war economy going, through 4+ years of full-scale war in Europe. She supposedly didn't attend SPIEF, and an important rate cut has been signalled without her presence. Nabiullina was the most strategically consequential enabler of Putin's war, and she has not been seen in public since 28 May. So, the rumours go, she reached a red line in service of Putin's regime, beyond which she was not prepared to go. And no, that red line did not involve the industrial slaughter of Ukrainians. The limit for her was apparently a proposed closing of the Russian border under the auspices of martial law. Could this be a sign that Putin is about to crank his senseless war into a new phase – full mobilisation of the Russian herd population? A final effort to shovel everyone into the meat grinder? ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Reuters via WTAQ / KELO / Global Banking and Finance — "Putin signals key rate cuts as his central banker is on sick leave" (10 June 2026) Meduza English — "Russia's Central Bank chief disappears from public view as resignation rumors swirl; one report links her future to fears of border closures and martial law" (11 June 2026) Meduza English — "Russian Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina misses Putin's interest rate meeting — and hasn't been seen in public for a week" (10 June 2026)English Pravda — "Russian Central Bank Chief Disappears from Public Eye, Sparks Conspiracy Theories" (11 June 2026) NV / The New Voice of Ukraine — "Russian central bank head Nabiullina vanishes from public life" (11 June 2026) Nasha Niva English — "In Russia, Nabiullina and Mishustin are expected to be dismissed, and a transition to a 'mobilization economy' is anticipated" (11 June 2026) Dagens.com — "Putin's top banker has disappeared — she hasn't been seen for over a week" (11 June 2026) Reuters Exclusive via Yahoo News — "Putin's central banker Nabiullina will serve until 2027 despite attacks, sources say" (November 2025)The Moscow Times via Mozhem Obyasnit + Vyorstka — "Russia Readies Border Closures for Military-Aged Men – Reports" (26 September 2022) ----------

Silicon Bites Ep354 | 2026-06-18 | Moscow Burns While Ukraine Seizes the Initiative. The Russian State Tries to Censor the Reality on Its Own Streets. Moscow under fire – the attack on the Pechersk Lavra now has a response. Ukraine has reversed Russian momentum on the battlefield through drone-innovation scale, and Zelenskyy says publicly that Ukraine is seizing the initiative. The numbers are unambiguous. The images are specular. Moscow is burning. Everyone can see it, hear it. The evidence of failed air defence, failing security, and the impotence of their demi-god Tsar is not obvious for all to see. Finally, a black rains gonna fall on Moscow. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:Council on Foreign Relations — "How Ukraine's Drone Innovation Reversed Russia's Momentum" by Michael C. Horowitz and Erin D. Dumbacher (12 June 2026) RBC-Ukraine — daily war updates including Russia's losses as of 16 June (+1,230 troops, +2,000 drones), Sea Trident underwater drone unveiling, long-range AI interceptor drone NYT coverage, assault-rifle-equipped security drone, Zelenskyy "seizing initiative" remarks.Kyiv Independent — Gukovo oil depot fire (18 June 2026)Critical Threats (ISW) / Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment (February 2026)Euromaidan Press — Russian state TV coverage of "largest Moscow attack of the war under a minute" (18 June 2026 reporting).Institute for the Study of War (ISW) via RBC-Ukraine summary — "Russia fakes Kostiantynivka capture as reality tells a different story" (16 June 2026); "Putin had two goals in attack on Kyiv's historic monastery" (16 June 2026).----------

Silicon Bites Ep352 | 2026-06-16 | Fifteen kilometres from the Kremlin: thirty-six hours after the Pechersk Lavra burned, Ukraine hits the heart of Moscow's fuel economy, striking a vast oil refinery that services the imperial capital. Breaking: 16 June 2026 — coordinated Ukrainian strike on Moscow oil refinery in the Kapotnya district damages the ELOU avt-6 primary distillation unit; 500-kilometre range; all four major Moscow airports forced to suspend operations; about 60 drones intercepted in what TASS calls one of the largest barrages on the capital all year; Zelensky confirms the strike on his way to the G7; the response to the Lavra strike was always going to come — and the timing is perfect. Ukraine comes to the international summit with a full deck of cards. ----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------SOURCES:RBC-Ukraine — "Drones strike Moscow's largest oil refinery" (16 June 2026) UNITED24 Media — "Ukrainian Drones Hit Moscow Oil Refinery Supplying 40% of Capital Region's Fuel" (16 June 2026) Bloomberg — "Ukraine Strikes Moscow Oil Refinery in Latest Drone Attack on Russia" (16 June 2026) Kyiv Post — "Moscow Refinery, Krasnodar Oil Depot Burning in Massive Ukrainian Drone Raid" (16 June 2026) ABC News — "Moscow mayor says dozens of Ukrainian drones downed in attack on Russian capital" (16 June 2026) Euronews — "Moscow oil refinery ablaze after retaliatory Ukrainian drone strike" (16 June 2026)Interfax Ukraine — "Defense forces strike Moscow oil refinery and design bureau in Tula" (16 June 2026) UNN (Ukrainian News Network) — "General Staff confirmed the strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery and more" (16 June 2026) Mezha (Bukvy) — "Ukrainian special forces struck Moscow refinery, causing major fire" (16 June 2026) MSN / Daily Mail wire — "Ukrainian drone attacks spark fires at Moscow refinery and Krasnodar region fuel depot" (16 June 2026) RBC-Ukraine — "Moscow oil refinery burns after Ukrainian drone strike - Details emerge" (16 June 2026)----------