Silicon Curtain

Ostap Slyvynsky is a Ukrainian poet, essayist, translator, literary critic, and academic. He is the author of several collections of poetry and was a recipient of Ukrainian and international literary awards. He is also noted for translating several works of fiction from other languages into Ukrainian. He is the author of five poetry collections, numerous essays, columns, and reviews in Ukrainian and foreign periodicals. His works have been translated into 16 languages. He translates fiction and scholarly literature from English, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Polish, and Russian. ----------DESCRIPTION:The Language of War: A Conversation with Ostap Slyvynsky in OdesaIn this captivating episode, we are joined by Ostap Slyvynsky, a translator, writer, and associate professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, to discuss his book, 'Dictionary of War'. The conversation delves into the spontaneous creation of the book amidst the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the profound changes in wartime language, and the manipulation and distortion of terms like 'war' and 'peace' by Russian propaganda. The episode further explores the challenges and psychological defenses in Ukrainian society facing the ongoing war, the concept of victory, and the broader implications of Ukraine's role as a frontier of democratic values against authoritarian regimes. Tune in for an in-depth analysis of language, propaganda, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:41 The Spontaneous Creation of 'Dictionary of War'03:05 Language Evolution in Wartime04:44 The Semantics of War and Peace07:25 Russian Propaganda and the Concept of War11:00 Ukraine's Role and Identity in the Conflict22:16 The Future of Ukraine and Democratic Values32:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostap_Slyvynskyhttps://www.wordsforwar.com/ostap-slyvynsky-biohttps://pen.org.ua/en/members/slyvynskyj-ostaphttps://brooklynrail.org/2024/10/books/ostap-slyvynsky-winter-king/https://lithub.com/the-sky-is-innocent-new-writing-by-ukrainian-poet-ostap-slyvynsky/https://chytomo.com/en/authors/ostap-slyvynsky/----------BOOKS: A Ukrainian Dictionary of War (2024)Grace Mahoney (Translator), Taras Malkovych (Translator), Ostap Slyvynsky (Compiler)(Poetry)The Winter King, (Lviv, 2018)Adam, (Chernivtsi, 2012)Driven by Fire (2009)Ball in the Darkness (Kyiv, 2008)Midday Line, (Khmelnyts'ky-Kyiv, 2004)Sacrifice of Big Fish, (Lviv, 1998)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No212 | 02-08-2025 - It’s all about oil, stupid. Russia’s aggression is enabled and powered by hydrocarbons. The fact the world has let them export and sell for more than three years to support genocidal aggression is a scandal and morally indefensible. In this episode we ask – “Is Putin screwed?” now the sources of income for his aggression are finally being cut off. The Penza and Samara strikes on Russia’s refinery infrastructure, Russia’s war economy oil dependency, tightening of EU sanctions, India’s pause in accepting Russian tankers, and the shadow‑fleet tanker issue.Ukrainian drones have struck the Penza and Samara oil refineries, and global pressure is mounting on Russia’s oil lifeline — from EU sanctions to India’s hesitation about continuing to binge buy Russian oil. It’s all about the oil and ships keeping Putin’s war machine afloat.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Is Putin's War Machine on the Brink of Collapse? | Oil Sanctions and Strategic StrikesIn this episode, we explore how Ukraine's strategic strikes and tightening global sanctions are crippling Russia's war economy. Topics include the recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Penza and Samara oil refineries, the EU's new sanctions on Russian crude, India's pause on Russian oil imports, and the impact of these measures on Russia's war capabilities. We delve into Russia's oil dependency, the shadow fleet of tankers, and the global efforts to cut off the revenue streams fueling Putin's aggression. Join us as we analyze the physical, psychological, and economic toll of these actions and how they may signal a turning point in the conflict.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements00:33 Is Putin's War Machine in Trouble?01:19 Strikes on Penza and Samara03:28 Russia's Oil Dependency and Sanctions04:32 EU's New Sanctions and Their Impact05:52 The Shadow Fleet and India's Role10:01 Conclusion: The Future of Russia's War Machine----------SOURCES: https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/explosions-hit-penza-and-samara-areas-in-1754104103.htmlhttps://unn.ua/en/news/explosions-in-penza-and-samara-oblast-drones-hit-oil-refinery-and-defense-plantshttps://kyivindependent.com/drones-strike-industrial-sites-across-russia/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/business/india-russia-oil-trump.htmlhttps://www.gtreview.com/news/europe/eu-tackles-russian-oil-refining-loophole-in-major-sanctions-crackdown/https://energyandcleanair.org/fact-sheet-five-ports-received-57-of-russian-crude-transported-by-uk-sanctioned-vessels/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyvn35dej19ohttps://united24media.com/latest-news/sanctioned-russian-oil-tankers-left-stranded-off-india-as-refineries-turn-them-away-10359https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/31/indian-state-refineries-halt-russian-oil-imports-after-trump-tariff-threats-a90050https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/indian-state-refiners-pause-russian-oil-purchases-sources-say-2025-08-01/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/tankers-with-russian-oil-idle-off-india-as-refiners-seek-steer----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No211 | 01-08-2025 - The July 31, 2025, drone‑and‑missile attack on Kyiv was one of the most substantial and devastating of the war. It was also entirely indiscriminate and purely targeted at civilians. We’ll break down: the scope of the attack, its human toll, the increasing difficulty of interception, voices calling out from Ukraine—and what the implications are for dealing with Russia, that has now cemented its identity as terror‑state, the Al-Qaeda of the European Continent.In the early hours of July 31, Russia unleashed one of the deadliest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the war began. Over 300 drones initially were counted and eight Iskander‑K cruise missiles, but according to Ukraine’s air force later that count rose to 539 drones and 11 missiles, targeting the capital. Air raid sirens blared for hours while explosions shattered sleep and infrastructure. President Zelensky described it as a “deliberately massive and cynical” attack, timed hours after a phone call between Trump and Putin. He made the connection explicit: the strikes began “almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin.”----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: * United24 Media: “Death Toll from Russian Attack on Kyiv Climbs to 31—159 Wounded…”* United24 Media: photographic reportage “What Russia’s Deadly Strike on Kyiv Left Behind…”* Associated Press: “Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv kills at least 13 and injures more than 130”* Reuters: “Russia launches drone and missile waves killing 16, injuring well over 100”* TIME / AFP via United24: largest drone attack record July 3/4 coverage* Kyiv Independent / United24 / international coverage of Meaghan Mobbs comments* Wikipedia timelines and drone attack summaries (Kyiv strikes)----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No210 | 01-08-2025 - Dima Medvedev is rattling the nuclear sabre again, in a highly entertaining spat with Donald Trumo, who in turn is calling the economies of Russia and India ‘dead’. What does all this rhetoric mean? Does it amount to little more than political theatre, until Trump takes real measures to restrain Putin's war machine.We unpack a startling clash: Dmitry Medvedev’s nuclear threats and Donald Trump’s sweeping dismissal of India and Russia as "dead economies." The former probably was already on your Bingo card, the latter possibly not. What does the spat reveal—and will anything follow to curb Putin’s war machine?Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s longtime loyalist now serving as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has been resurrecting his role as hawk-in-chief. Over the last three years, he’s issued chilling warnings:As early as May 2024, he wrote: “Russia regards all long‑range weapons used by Ukraine as already being directly controlled by servicemen from NATO countries… This is no military assistance, this is participation in a war against us.” (Financial Times)In late September 2024: “If Ukraine is allowed… to use Western long‑range missiles… we would reduce Kyiv to a ‘giant melted spot.’” (POLITICO)In July 2023: “Russia would have to use a nuclear weapon” if a NATO-backed offensive regained Russian-occupied land. (Wikipedia)All these things happened, the long-range strike capabilities, the campaigns in Kursk, and continued supply of munitions to Kyiv by its allies. Maybe not at the scales required, but substantial nonetheless, and Dimon’s threats proved to be hollow bloviating bluster. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/31/ex-russian-president-entering-dangerous-territory-trump/https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/trump-tariffs-russia-india-dead-economies-7mvr38w85https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-medvedev-putin-russia-ukraine-war-b2800085.htmlhttps://www.ndtv.com/world-news/as-donald-trump-brands-india-russia-dead-economies-russian-official-warns-him-of-nuke-strikes-8993532https://www.politico.eu/article/donld-trump-calls-russias-dmitry-medvedev-failed-president/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524131/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5429394-donald-trump-russia-india-dmitry-medvedev-ceasefire/https://kyivindependent.com/trump-warns-russias-medvedev-to-watch-his-words-accuses-him-of-entering-dangerous-territory/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/dmitry-medvedev-russia-trump-ceasefire-tariff-13917074.htmlhttps://time.com/7306697/trump-medvedev-russia-ukraine-nuclear-war-putin/https://global.espreso.tv/world-about-ukraine-diplomat-explains-what-verbal-clash-between-trump-medvedev-signalshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/07/31/trump-lashes-out-at-india-and-russias-dead-economies-and--responds-to-medvedevs-war-threat/----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No209 | 31-07-2025 - An article in RIA, a government propagandists news agency, of which RT is a subsidiary, openly calls for genocide, while sanctioned Russian lawmakers that are fully aligned with this genocidal policy are welcomed in Switzerland at a so-called peace conference. Today, we confront two outrageous acts:1. A Russian state propaganda op‑ed calling for the total annihilation of Ukrainians, published by RIA Novosti.2. The astonishing decision by Switzerland to allow sanctioned Russian lawmakers—including war crime enablers—to speak at a Geneva peace conference.These two acts expose two grotesque lies – that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has anything to do with NATO, security concerns or any similar nonsense, and it also exploded the Swiss claims to be neutral politically, but not morally. Rather, it’s a reminder, if such were needed, of the extraordinary moral bankruptcy Switzerland has shown today, and reflects other episodes in the past, where it was an enabler of NAZI crimes to steal wealth from Jews during the holocaust, and allegedly supplied the fascist war machine with precision parts, under gently persuaded by the RAF to tone down their hypocrisy. Switzerland was not neutral then and is not now. It could even be deeply dependent on Russian money and largess. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/07/31/russian-state-media-runs-op-ed-titled-no-one-should-remain-alive-in-ukrainehttps://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/switzerland-invites-sanctioned-russian-official-matviyenko-to-speak-in-geneva-despite-role-in-launching-the-war-in-ukraine-10266https://kyivindependent.com/sanctioned-russian-officials-attend-global-parliamentary-summit-in-geneva/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/30/eu-lawmakers-walk-out-during-matviyenkos-address-in-geneva-a90035https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524081/https://www.newarab.com/news/ukraine-delegate-slams-russian-presence-geneva-gatheringhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-30/top-putin-ally-visits-geneva-as-italy-france-waive-flight-banhttps://babel.ua/en/news/120073-the-head-of-the-russian-federation-council-matvienko-who-is-under-sanctions-arrived-in-geneva-for-a-conference-dedicated-to-peacehttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/30/7524129/https://tvpworld.com/88079711/disgraceful-ukraine-slams-geneva-summit-for-hosting-sanctioned-russian-mpshttps://united24media.com/latest-news/protest-erupts-during-russian-speaker-matviyenkos-speech-at-world-conference-of-speakers-in-geneva-10304https://kyivindependent.com/russian-state-media-article-demands-no-ukrainians-be-left-alive/----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No208 | 31-07-2025 - Today’s episode involves espionage, treachery, and heroism. The greatest examples of human bravery, and the lowest examples of treachery. * Recent cases of Ukrainians spying for Russia* The devastating moral cost of these betrayals* Profiles of Ukrainian air-force pilots who died serving their country* The lethal FSB agents tracked down and killed in Ukraine* Can Ukraine counter traitors and constant attempts to penetrate its security by Russia.Exposing the Spies - In July 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) detained a Ukrainian Air Force major, working as a flight instructor, accused of spying for Russia’s FSB. The officer allegedly leaked coordinates of airfields, flight schedules, and departure orders—especially those hosting Western-supplied F‑16s, Mirage 2000s, and Su‑24s. The SBU described the leaks as tactical blueprints for Russian missile and drone strikes. He even provided an analytical report advising on strike tactics to ‘bypass Ukrainian air defences’ (Reuters, July 30, 2025).This is treachery of the highest order, not only his country, but the heroes he instructed. “In particular, the enemy’s priority targets were airfields where F‑16s, Mirage 2000s and Su‑24s were based … The agent collected the coordinates … schedules and … the order of their departure” This case mirrored a similar arrest reported earlier—recruitment via his ex-wife, a former military officer in occupied Melitopol. He allegedly provided Russia’s Aleksandr Belodedov from FSB’s Alpha unit with target data before Ukraine intercepted his transmissions and detained him in Lviv Oblast (Kyiv Independent), July 3, 2025).----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Heroes and Traitors: Stories of Ukrainian Bravery and BetrayalIn this gripping episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the stark contrast between heroism and treachery in Ukraine amid its resistance against Russia. We explore recent cases of espionage by Ukrainians spying for Russia, detailing the devastating consequences and moral costs. Profiles of fallen Ukrainian Air Force pilots symbolize sacrifice and bravery, highlighting their significant contributions and ultimate sacrifices. The episode covers high-profile assassinations and the intense shadow war involving Ukrainian security forces and Russian operatives. We also discuss the motivations behind betrayal and the critical countermeasures Ukraine must take to safeguard its national security and unity.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Gratitude00:36 Cases of Treachery in Ukraine01:25 Exposing the Spies04:58 Profiles of Fallen Ukrainian Air Force Heroes09:35 Assassination of Colonel Ivan IC11:33 Motivations and Countermeasures Against Betrayal13:35 Conclusion: The Cost of Betrayal and the Resolve of Ukraine----------SOURCES: https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-air-force-officer-arrested-as-alleged-fsb-mole-sbu-says-06-2025/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-crime/4011052-air-force-major-exposed-as-russian-agent-in-western-ukraine.htmlhttps://news.online.ua/en/sbu-prevented-fsb-plans-to-eliminate-the-commander-of-the-da-vinci-wolves-video-895636/https://unn.ua/en/news/sbu-detains-mole-of-elite-fsb-special-unit-in-air-forcehttps://united24media.com/latest-news/security-service-of-ukraine-uncovers-russian-fsb-agents-preparing-strikes-on-f-16-airfields-5421https://www.kyivpost.com/post/55631https://glavnoe.in.ua/en/news-en/ukrainian-air-force-officer-accused-of-spying-for-russia-arrested-in-major-security-breachhttps://www.newsweek.com/two-russian-fsb-agents-killed-after-assassinating-ukraine-spy-colonel-2098339https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-spies-in-ukrainian-armed-forces-sbu-reports-detention-of-russian-mole-in-air-force-50526933.html----------

Theo Allthorpe-Mullis an NCTJ qualified journalist and author of the the Dictators v. Democrats SubStack. Prior to becoming a journalist he was a police officer in London. He is interested in conflict, human rights and the preservation of democracy. Prior to his service with the Police, he undertook a Masters Degree in International Security.----------LINKS:https://tamullis.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/@TAMullis @TAMullis https://x.com/TheoAMullispatreon.com/DictatorsvDemocratscoff.ee/tamullis----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No207 | 30-07-2025 - Drones, assassinations, and fear stalk the Kremlin—and a weapon called Yolka provides an insight into the paranoid frame of mind of Vladimir Putin, in the fourth year of his senseless war against Ukraine.* What is the Yolka anti-drone interceptor?* What evidence do we have that Putin fears drone attacks, and that paranoia defines life in the Kremlin.* What past assassination attempts suggest about Putin’s mindset—and whether he believes he is safe.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/vladimir-putin-assassination-fears-highlighted-35635872 https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/07/30/putin-s-security-team-spotted-carrying-handheld-interceptor-drones https://www.businessinsider.com/vladimir-putin-bodyguard-interceptor-drone-victory-day-parade-video-2025-7 https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57190 https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/ukraine-drone-attacks-instill-fear-in-vladimir-putin-russian-president-feels-unsafe-in-moscow-s-red-square-walks-with-anti-drone-launcher/ar-AA1JwQCe ----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Olena Halushka is a is a board member of the Ukrainian NGO “Anti-corruption Action Centre”, and co-founder of the International Centre for Ukrainian Victory. She has also worked as a chief of international advocacy at the post-Maidan coalition of 80 CSOs “Reanimation Package of Reforms”. Olena is a contributor to the Atlantic Council, Kyiv Independent. She has also written op-eds for the Washington Post, the Foreign Policy, and the EU Observer – but it’s a major article she wrote for the UK’s Guardian newspaper that we’ll be discussing today.----------DESCRIPTION: Understanding Kyiv Protests: An In-Depth Discussion with Anti-Corruption Advocate Olena Halushka Jonathan speaks with Olena Halushka, a board member of the Ukrainian NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center and co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory. The conversation covers the ongoing protests in Kyiv, the role of Russian aggression, the significance of EU integration for Ukraine, and the internal challenges of anti-corruption and judicial reforms. Elena clarifies the nature of the protests, expressing that they are in favor of Ukraine's EU integration and not against the government. The discussion also delves into the horizontal strength of Ukrainian society, the impact of Western misconceptions, and the broader implications of these reforms on Ukraine's resilience during wartime. Lastly, Olena provides insights into how Western misunderstanding of Ukraine's decentralized but resilient structure and the importance of maintaining justice and anti-corruption measures, even during the war, are crucial for Ukraine's future.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:22 Current Situation in Ukraine02:11 Understanding the Protests04:03 EU Integration and Democratic Reforms05:24 The Role of Civil Society and Media13:48 Russian Occupation and Humanitarian Crisis21:04 Global Implications and Support for Ukraine25:34 Anti-Corruption Reforms and Internal Challenges51:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/OlenaHalushka https://twitter.com/AntAC_ua https://twitter.com/ICUVua https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-halushka-b7342259/?originalSubdomain=ua https://ukrainianvictory.org/experts/olena-halushka/ https://www.fpri.org/contributor/olena-halushka/https://cepa.org/author/olena-halushka/https://archive.kyivpost.com/author/olena-halushkahttps://foreignpolicy.com/author/olena-halushka/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No204 | 28-07-2025 - Russia cancelled Navy Day parades for the first time – which is a deep embarrassment to the Kremlin, as it’s the first time this significant military holiday has been canned. This follows closely on the heels of the airport shutdowns, after drone swarms forced their closure. What does this says about Putin’s naval myth colliding with battlefield reality. Well we already knew that the tsar’s navy isn’t immune from Ukrainian drones.Navy Day (“Day of the VMF”) was revived in 2017 by Putin, transforming Russia’s fleet into a centerpiece of national pride. The main event in St. Petersburg featured grand naval reviews on the Neva, with warships parading past Kronstadt, foreign delegations, military bands, and tens of thousands of spectators—major PR theater for the Kremlin (AP News).But this year, the parade was scrapped entirely. British intelligence declared:"It is almost certain that Day of the Russian Navy parades… originally expected… July 27, 2025, have been cancelled… due to force protection concerns." (Українська правда)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/27/7523638/ https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/putin-cancels-navy-day-parade-says-frontline-1753624674.html https://unn.ua/en/news/british-intelligence-russia-canceled-navy-day-parade-for-the-first-time-due-to-security-concerns https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-says-nearly-100-drones-shot-down-as-strikes-disrupt-airports-and-railways-across-western-russia/ ----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No205 | 29-07-2025 - It’s dawn on Monday, July 28, 2025, and at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport a wearily familiar scene is unfolding—departure boards frozen, passengers stranded, irate people being denied refunds. Yet this time it was not drones that had caused the grounding of planes, the inconvenience and discomfort to passengers. It was one of the most effective hacks in history. Aeroflot, Russia’s state‐owned flag carrier was grounded by a major cyberattack. Flights cancelled, chaos at ticket counters, confusion everywhere. This was no glitch, as the Kremlin propagandists initially tried to claim. It is a digital war. And the Kremlin is terrified of the implications of such attacks for its war economy. The hacker groups Silent Crow and Belarus Cyber‑Partisans emerged to claim responsibility. But something on this scale cannot just have been a private initiative. Ukraine is fighting back, and the Russian Goliath is falling and hitting the ground hard. This is part of a concerted strategy to hit the economy, so expect more. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Chaos in Russian Aviation: Unprecedented Cyber Attack on Aeroflot SystemsIn this gripping episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the catastrophic cyber attack on systems that ground Russia's state-owned airline Aeroflot, causing unprecedented travel chaos. The hack, executed by the hacker groups Silent Crow and Belarus Cyber Partisans, significantly disrupted Russia’s transport network and inflicted tens of millions of dollars in damages. The incident reveals vulnerabilities in Russia’s critical infrastructure and highlights Ukraine's robust cyber offensive strategies amidst ongoing conflicts. Learn about the strategic implications, the role of volunteer hacker groups, and the potential for future cyber disruptions.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:51 The Hack Unfolds: Chaos at Moscow's Airport01:50 The Scale and Impact of the Cyber Attack03:09 Financial and Operational Fallout11:20 Broader Implications for Russia's Infrastructure12:31 Ukraine's Cyber Offensive Strategy17:35 Historical Context and Future Outlook21:01 Conclusion: The Cyber Battlefield----------SOURCES: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/28/completely-compromised https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-opens-criminal-case-over-aeroflot-cyberattack-2025-07-28/ https://english.nv.ua/nation/belarusian-hackers-claim-aeroflot-cyberattack-that-grounded-42-flights-on-july-28-50532950.html https://news.online.ua/en/cyberattack-on-aeroflot-the-company-lost-up-to-50-million-895625/ https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1091217.html https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/28/russia-aeroflot-cancels-flights-pro-ukraine-hackers-cyber-attack https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/28/7523738/ https://www.reuters.com/en/pro-ukrainian-hackers-claim-massive-cyberattack-russias-aeroflot-2025-07-28/ https://english.nv.ua/nation/aeroflot-hackers-reveal-details-of-operation-against-russian-airline-50533022.htmlhttps://www.ft.com/content/9114257b-94cf-4726-b8cc-7e71b3304c8a----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

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

Edition No206 | 30-07-2025 - This is Silicon Bites first travel review episode. Well not really, it’s about the dwindling number of places available to Russians for mass tourism, as they are excluded from many countries, and the declining value of the rouble makes more destinations financially unattainable. The question Russians are now asking themselves in greater numbers is where should we holiday this year? Occupied Ukraine, a War Zone, of North Korea, the Hermit Kingdom. We also should ask, should Russians even be getting visa to holiday in Europe, in the context of the full-scale genocidal war it has launched against Ukraine, and hybrid attacks on Europe? ----------Today: holidays reshaped by occupation, isolation, and sanctions—where Russian tourism also serves as a chilling propaganda tool. We’re diving into four related stories:1. Beaches in occupied Ukrainian territories turned into Russian holiday zones.2. The emergence of Russian tourism in North Korea via new direct flights.3. Russia intensifying travel to places like Afghanistan and Iran.4. The controversies over Russian tourists seeking European visas.It’s not all sun, sand and fun. These holidays contain some anxiety, trauma and are based on a complete moral bankruptcy not only of the Russian government, but also its people. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Russian Tourism's Dark Side: Occupation, Isolation, and Moral BankruptcyIn this first travel review episode of Silicon Bites, we explore the limited holiday options available to Russian tourists amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and international sanctions. The episode is broken into four segments: Russian holidays in occupied Ukrainian territories, new direct flights to North Korea, unusual destinations like Afghanistan and Iran, and the controversy over Russian tourists seeking European visas. We discuss the moral implications of these travels and how Russian tourism is being used as a geopolitical tool to normalize occupation and build alliances with rogue states.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:45 The Dilemma of Russian Tourism02:10 Russian Holidays in Occupied Ukraine05:16 North Korea: The New Russian Tourist Destination07:09 Exploring Unusual Destinations: Afghanistan and Iran08:34 The Controversy Over Russian Visas in Europe09:46 Conclusion and Moral Reflections----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/25/sun-sea-and-the-russian-flag-inside-vacation-season-on-the-beaches-of-occupied-ukraine-a89973 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/moscow-pyongyang-direct-flights-russia-to-north-korea-tourists https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-tourists-get-a-nightmare-new-vacation-destination-as-flight-choices-dwindle/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyrk588dlro https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2025/0619/russia-tourism-vacation-iran-korea-afghanistan ----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Welcome to our monthly conversation with Konstantin, who is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening Inside Russia. Konstantin Samoilov is a well-known YouTuber whose channel ‘Inside Russia’ comments insightfully on Russia’s decent into authoritarianism over the last few years. But now, like many others, he’s outside Russia, with no idea of when he can return there. ----------DESCRIPTION:Uncovering Russian Propaganda, Kyiv Protests, and the Russian Economy Collapse with KonstantinJoin us for an in-depth discussion with our guest, Konstantin, as we explore the efforts to debunk Russian propaganda and delve into the intricate details of the current state of the Russian economy. We begin by discussing the ongoing protests in Kyiv and their implications, before shifting focus to the deteriorating Russian economy. Learn about the internal conflicts within the Russian government, the impact on various industries, and how the Ukrainian strategy of economic disruption is influencing public perception in Russia. Stay tuned for insights on economic updates, current events, and the philosophical undertones behind these geopolitical tensions.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:33 Protests in Kyiv: The Cardboard Revolution03:02 Russian Propaganda Struggles09:26 Ukrainian Democracy in Action11:23 Economic Collapse: High Interest Rates and Inflation20:30 Ukrainian Strategy: Targeting Russian Infrastructure26:27 Economic Crisis in Russia27:28 The Booming Funeral Industry28:31 Grotesque Vacation Resorts30:06 Russian Propaganda and Public Perception31:59 Vacationing in War Zones39:58 Upcoming Content on Inside Russia50:06 The Importance of Understanding Dynamics----------LINKS: @INSIDERUSSIA https://www.patreon.com/insiderussiaINSIDE RUSSIA is a source of current news on Russia - Konstantin carefully selects 9 news stories that are important and really matter, with commentaries and analyses by Konstantin delivered daily to channel patrons at Patreon.comGet your access to daily news updates at patreon.com/INSIDERUSSIA----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No203 | 26-07-2025 - We are turning the spotlight inward—into Russia and Belarus—exploring courageous dissent rarely seen in mainstream coverage. Today, we unpack protests inside Russia (or the lack of them), sabotage of military assets, partisan rail warfare in Belarus, and the shifting lines between Russian anti‑Kremlin actors and Ukraine’s intelligence. Spoiler alert: Putin’s control is showing cracks, but probably not enough to bring the house down.----------Public protests in Russia remain rare—and now seem to be confined to places outside the capital, or even ethnically majority Russian places. 2022 was the high-water mark of protests that were explicitly anti-war, but after that an exodus of people fleeing mobilisation and the crack down on protests, there had been very little. People last went out in mass in defiance of the regime after Navalny died, and on the day of his funeral. But these were more implicit criticism of the regime rather than explicit or direct. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://kyivindependent.com/russian-su-27ub-fighter-jet-catches-fire-in-apparent-act-of-resistance-ukraine-military-intelligence-says/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/23/ukraine-belarus-railway-saboteurs-russia/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail\_war\_in\_Belarus\_%282022%E2%80%93present%29https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop\_the\_Wagonshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat\_Organization\_of\_Anarcho-Communistshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machulishchy\_air\_base\_attack----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No201 | 25-07-2025 - Today: how Moscow is training teenagers to act as human bombs in Kyiv—and why Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) is sounding the alarm. From cafés to recruitment centres, from assassinations to remote detonations—these are not just plots but signals: Russia is escalating terror, and targeting the civilian population, because it cannot cut through on the battlefield.In the latest story, a Russian agent from Lviv was arrested in Kyiv while plotting an attack near a security service building. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) counterintelligence investigators thwarted a major terrorist attack on a busy central street in Kyiv. During a special operation in the city, they detained a Russian agent who was planning to detonate explosives near an SSU facility."An investigation has found that the suspect reached out to a Russian intelligence operative through a messenger group and agreed to collaborate in December 2024. Her mission was to carry out a terrorist attack aimed at causing casualties among SSU personnel."----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56919 https://tvpworld.com/87999080/ukraine-foils-alleged-russian-terror-plot-in-kyiv-caf https://english.nv.ua/nation/sbu-detains-17-year-old-in-kyiv-for-alleged-terror-plot-50515089.html https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraines-security-service-prevented-russian-terror-attack-in-kyiv-thwarting-plot-to-kill-officials-6146 https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/1/7496297/ https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-uncovers-kyiv-oblast-terror-plot/ ----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No200 | 24-07-2025 - Stalin’s Camps to Putin’s Russia — The hint of a new Gulag Archipelago takes shape. Remember the Gulag? That grim and terrifying institution of forced labour, mass arrests and industrial scale torment that Stalin used to apparently modernize Russia. It wasn’t just camps—it was terror, ideology turned into watch towers and razor wire, and millions of lives drained into Russia’s unforgiving soil, for what seemed like capricious and measly ends. Above all, the Gulag was a mindset – of horror for incarcerated, and terror for those threatened with it. But it also served as a projection of power for the Russian state on the international stage. It said ‘look at the horrors we are prepared to inflict on our own people. Imagine, if we are capable of this, then what we can do to you, and your loved ones.’ This is where so many people get Russia’s rulers wrong right down to Putin. Russia’s power, its existence does not come from the raw exercise of power, because in monetary term and most other indices that denote powerful countries, Russia trails far behind. No, Russia’s power, its sense of worth, its status, its very existence cones from the idea that is feared. If Russia is not feared, Putin believes, and has hinted at many times in speeches, then it is not. To be fear is to exist, and to be ignored is the real existential threat to Putin and by extension all of Russia. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: CEPA, Gulag 2.0 — Russia Reopens the Camps (June 23, 2025)The Guardian, Gulag History Museum… closed (Nov 14, 2024) The Moscow Times, Kremlin & FSB order museum closure (Nov 14, 2024) Meduza, Citing ‘fire safety violations’… museum shutters (Nov 15, 2024)The Art Newspaper, Battle for memory at Russia's Gulag Museum (Mar 5, 2025) Barents Observer, FSB wants its own pre-trial detention centres (Feb 28, 2025) Meduza, The End of a Life Cycle (Jan 15, 2025) Wikipedia, Gulag Museum, Solovki prison campThe Guardian, Skobov sentenced to 16 years (Mar 21, 2025)Vox, Kara‑Murza's experience (Dec 1, 2024)Memorial (society) Wikipedia entry----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Alya Shandra is Editor-in-chief at Euro Maidan Press. She has a background in environmental science and NGOs. During the Euromaidan revolution Alya Shandra launched an indy-media outlet called Euromaidan Press, and that project was fuelled by her interest in how to help Ukraine permanently move beyond being a post-communist post-colony country and evolve into becoming a free and democratic society that tackles corruption and nepotism. ----------DESCRIPTION:Ukraine Anti-Corruption Protests and Zelensky's Crisis: A Deep Dive with Alya Shandra from Euro Maidan PressIn this episode, we delve into the escalating scandal in Ukraine surrounding President Zelenskyy's controversial anti-corruption law, which triggered massive protests. Alya Shandra, Editor in Chief at Euro Maidan Press, provides insights into the background of the protests, their significance, and the pivotal role of anti-corruption agencies like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. We explore the societal impact of these protests, the historical context of Ukraine's political evolution, and discuss Zelenskyy's surprise response to the rising public unrest. Join us for an in-depth discussion on the fight against corruption in Ukraine amid an ongoing war.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Scandal in Ukraine00:13 Interview with Alya Shandra: Background and Insights01:10 Zelenskyy's Unexpected Protests01:59 Understanding the Anti-Corruption Law03:38 The Role of Anti-Corruption Agencies05:36 Public Reaction and Protests08:17 International Implications and EU Integration12:29 Zelenskyy's Leadership and Challenges18:19 The Future of Ukraine's Democracy35:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://euromaidanpress.com/author/alya/https://x.com/alyashandrahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alya-shandra-5b1a68b/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Edition No199 | 23-07-2025 - The gates of the financial level crossing are coming down, but the Russian banking system is still stuck on the tracks, like the idiot driver that ignores the signals and bells and thinks they can cross in time. The express train of sanctions and consequences is careening down the tracks. Get ready for the troubled Russian banking sector to be turned to scrap by the impact, a pile of fiscal junk, entirely because of Putin’s reckless and senseless decisions. Russia’s economy is about to implode—and the silence on its banking system is deafening. Russian banks are teetering, bailouts are rumoured, and the Kremlin is quietly crafting laws to lock down the narrative. Why now? Because the war, sanctions, and mounting debt have created a financial tinderbox—and Ukraine’s lighting matches.----------DESCRIPTION:The Imminent Collapse of Russia's Banking SystemIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the unfolding banking crisis in Russia. The financial instability is being exacerbated by sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, leading to a significant strain on the system. Notably, several top Russian banks are quietly discussing emergency bailouts, and there's growing internal panic over rising bad loans and delinquency rates. The Kremlin is implementing laws to suppress information and control the narrative, even as the economy faces a potential collapse. We explore how high interest rates, inflation, and declining revenues are contributing to this financial turmoil, and why comprehensive sanctions by Western allies are crucial to forcing Putin's wartime economy to its breaking point.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:23 The Russian Banking Crisis Unfolds01:26 Emergency Bailouts and Hidden Debts02:40 Rising Bad Loans and Economic Warnings04:53 Sanctions and Global Isolation05:46 Censorship and Economic Control07:26 Conclusion: The Path Forward----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/russian-banks-will-fall-the-question-is-how-hard-a89912 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/russian-banks-have-discussed-seeking-bailouts-within-next-year https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/russias-economy-is-a-ticking-time-bomb/ https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russias-oil-and-banks-after-robert-fico-lifts-his-veto https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/17/russias-largest-banks-exploring-bailouts-as-bad-loans-grow-bloomberg-a89862 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-18/eu-backs-revised-russia-oil-price-cap-and-new-russia-sanctions https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-debt-bank-bailout-bad-loans-rates-ukraine-war-2025-7 https://uatv.ua/en/comprehensive-isolation-of-russia-s-financial-sector-is-gaining-momentum-the-governor-of-the-national-bank-of-ukraine/ https://kyivindependent.com/russias-systematically-important-banks-discussing-bailout-within-next-year-07-2025/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/russian-banks-fear-debt-crisis-is-coming-as-war-strains-economy https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/oman-tightens-banking-restrictions-on-russian-firms-vedomosti-a89918 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2085142/russia-economy-loan-defaults-vtb-bank https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/17/russian-banks-prepare-bailout-putins-war-hammers-economy/ ----------

Edition No198 | 23-07-2025 - In this episode, we take a hard, unsparing look at the Russian military’s transformation, or lack of it—and the West’s slow, uncertain response, at times pessimistic and laden with panic, at others complacent and bloated by hubris and overconfidence. Drawing on the analysis of John Foreman CBE and Edward Lucas of The Times, this episode insights from Bob Seely’s new book ‘The New Total War’. It explores three years of hard lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield, to ask: Is Russia preparing for perpetual war—and are we prepared to stop it?Russian Military Reform – Crude, Bloody, But Learning Dangerously and Unexpectedly Fast. John Foreman CBE, former British defence attaché in Moscow, pulls no punches: "Russia’s approach to war is not efficient in a Western sense—its waste is staggering—but it can still be effective." (NEST Centre, July 2025). Despite early humiliations—the failed dash to Kyiv, the retreat from Kherson, and the mauling at Vuhledar—Russia has adapted. Foreman notes: “Mass and firepower, not finesse, remain the defining principles.” The focus is not on minimizing casualties but on ensuring throughput: of shells, drones, prisoners, and bodies, for meat-wave assaults.----------DESCRIPTION:Russia's Military Transformation: Adapting for Perpetual ConflictIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the critical question of whether Russia's military can change and adapt amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Drawing on insights from experts like John Foreman, CBE, and Edward Lucas, and referencing Bob Seeley's new book "The New Total War".----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Ukraine's Independence00:16 Support and Engagement: How You Can Help00:34 Analyzing Russia's Military Transformation00:52 Insights from Experts: John Foreman and Edward Lucas01:14 Russia's Military Reform and Adaptation03:12 Ukraine's Agility vs. Russia's Mass06:29 The West's Response and Strategic Challenges06:56 Russia's Drone Warfare and Industrial Scale Production08:46 Information Warfare: Russia's Hybrid Campaigns10:08 Conclusion: The Perpetual War Machine----------SOURCES: https://nestcentre.org/military-lessons/ https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/wake-up-west-russia-war-donald-trump-5kscn3w32----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------