Silicon Curtain

2026-05-26 | UPDATES #206 | DEMENTED AND DANGEROUS: Why the Putin stumbling through May 2026 may be the most lethal Putin of the entire war. As his voice fails – and he can’t even summon the strength to shout ‘Hurrah’, as the footage recently suppressed by the Kremlin attest to, it seems that Putin is becoming less rational, more visibly angry, frustrated, and possibly confused. He is certainly detached from reality to a large degree, because of the skewed information he is receiving from sycophants and lackeys within the vertical of power. No one wants to tell demented grandpa the truth – in case they feel his wrath, as his war failures accelerate. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: National Security Journal — "'Putin Has Cancer': The Headline That Just Won't Go Away" (early May 2026) Global Security archive — "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin - Health" — Comprehensive historical record of Putin health speculation; Valdai Club November 2024 four-hour appearance with 40+ instances of mispronouncing words, stammering, and misspeaking while reading from a paper; Peskov's "fantastic capacity for work" framing; long-standing pattern of health-information controlFox News / Reuters / AP — "Putin says health 'fine' after two-day checkup, refuses blood pressure test at AI event: report" (November 2025) UNITED24 Media — "Why Russia Fires Ballistic Nuclear Capable Oreshnik Missile in Massive Attack Against Ukraine" (24 May 2026) Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Jack Watling, "Russia is Losing – Time for Putin's 2026 Hybrid Escalation" (December 2025) Institute for the Study of War — "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 19, 2026" (19 May 2026) Atlantic Council — "Toplines: Deterring Putin's aggression against NATO" (March 2026) — Five Russian-aggression scenarios in Nordic-Baltic region; NATO posture inadequate; recommendation framework: place NATO brigades in Nordic-Baltic per Madrid 2022 promise; BALTOPS-type comprehensive exercise schedule for Svalbard/Åland; mobilise NATO alliance and Europe writ largeBelfer Center (Harvard) — "Russian Threats to NATO's Eastern Flank: Scenarios, Strategy, and Policy for European Security" (February 2026) Foreign Policy — "I Attacked NATO as Russia's Commander in a War Game" (15 May 2026)NBC News — "Putin is testing NATO's defenses. How will it respond?" (September 2025) ----------

Silicon Bites Ep343 | 2026-05-26 | The attacks on Kyiv, the largest of the war over a week ago, and the most culturally destructive just days ago. Let us walk through what Russia destroyed in the 23-24 May strike. Because the target list is the moral indictment of the entire operation.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SOURCES:----------

Liubov Velychko is a Ukrainian investigative journalist with over 15 years of experience uncovering corruption, crime, and human rights violations. She Specializes in exposing disinformation campaigns, and has conducted numerous investigations into Russian propaganda, revealing the networks behind its spread and dismantling the information operations orchestrated by Russian intelligence agencies.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-press/ https://www.rusi.org/people/velychkohttps://x.com/VelychkoLiubovhttps://www.occrp.org/en/people/lyubov-velychkohttps://mind.ua/en/author/1158-liubov-velychko----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Livestream with Pyotr Kurzin---------Pyotr Kurzin is host of The Global Gambit podcast, as is an historian of great power politics and the Cold War. He also has Russian British heritage, which gives him a close perspective on the topic. ----------LINKS: @PKurzin https://www.linkedin.com/in/pyotrkurzin/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Phil Ittner is a veteran broadcast journalist now working independently in Ukraine. Currently he's based in Kyiv and produces a weekly interview podcast "On the Edge". Disillusioned with how mainstream media was covering the historic war in Ukraine, Phil decided he had to step in and bring a professional and credible perspective to reporting from Ukraine. ----------LINKS: @PhilipIttner https://x.com/IttnerPhiliphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-ittner-4180271a/https://philipittner.com/about/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/45-the-big-interview-philip-ittner-on-the-realities/id1617276298?i=1000610636024----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Silicon Bites Ep342 | 2026-05-24 | How a $30 million Russian terror weapon destroyed a row garages. This is absolutely symbolic of Putin senseless war, that has no strategic purpose, beyond control and cruelty, and has singularly failed to meet even its own pointless objectives. But apart from the performative terror, the array of drones and missiles Russia flung at the capital Kyiv, did inflict widespread damage, and loss of property, including Kyiv’s Chornobyl Museum, and a historic market that has resonance for many people that live in, or who grew up in Kyiv. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SOURCES:----------

2026-05-24 | UPDATES #206 | The shame of the USSR, an ecological and political disaster that precipitated its end. How a Soviet lie at reactor four killed tens of thousands — and then killed the USSR. There was a sentence spoken by a Ukrainian liquidator at the Chornobyl memorial ceremony that resonated. The man who said it is one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 600,000-strong liquidator force the Soviet Union mobilised between 1986 and 1990 to clean up after the worst civilian nuclear disaster in human history. He worked at the plant. He saw friends die. He retired early from disability. He returned this week, at his own expense, to honour the dead. And speaking to Al Jazeera at the foot of the liquidators' monument inside the exclusion zone, he said this:"In many ways, the independence of Ukraine was born on April 26, 1986, in Chornobyl. Without their heroism, an independent Ukraine might not even exist today."----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Al Jazeera — "Chornobyl's surviving 'liquidators' return 40 years after nuclear disaster" (26 April 2026)The Conversation — "Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster, its legacy still resonates" — David Marples and Cynthia Weber (April 2026) The Moscow Times (Opinion) — "40 Years Later, Chernobyl Remains a Lesson in the Unthinkable" — Charles Digges, Bellona (26 April 2026) Washington Post — "40 years after Chernobyl, war brings new rounds of disaster and displacement" (26 April 2026)Washington Post — "Despite Russia's war, one Ukrainian city still gathers for midnight Chernobyl vigil" (26 April 2026) Euronews — "On 40th Chernobyl disaster anniversary, Zelenskyy accuses Russia of committing 'nuclear terrorism'" (26 April 2026) PBS NewsHour — "Strikes kill at least 16 as Chernobyl anniversary highlights nuclear risks of Russia-Ukraine war" (26 April 2026)CBC News / Reuters — "Ukraine marks 40th Chornobyl anniversary amid fears war with Russia could repeat disaster" (26 April 2026) South Carolina ETV / History In A Nutshell — "The Chernobyl Disaster 40th Anniversary Special" (23 April 2026)George W. Bush Presidential Center — "The cost of lies: Chornobyl at 40" (24 April 2026)National Security Archive / George Washington University — "Top Secret Chernobyl: The Nuclear Disaster through the Eyes of the Soviet Politburo, KGB, and U.S. Intelligence" (2019)NATO Association of Canada — "Hiding Truth at All Costs: Revisiting the Chernobyl Disaster" Keele University analysis — "Chernobyl and USSR" — Glasnost contradiction; May Day parades despite radiation; Gorbachev "malicious lies" May 14; "highly immoral campaign"; Swedish discovery; risk society concept----------

Jason Jay Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. Due to his work with the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, Smart was made persona non grata for life by Russia in 2010. Jason is a Special Correspondent at the Kyiv Post. It’s the state of US support for Ukraine that we will discuss today.----------LINKS:https://jasonjaysmart.com/ https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/5 https://americanpoliticalservices.com/https://www.facebook.com/jasonjaysmarthttps://twitter.com/officejjsmart ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Stephanie Baker is a Senior Writer at Bloomberg, covering the intersection of business and politics. She has also written for The Moscow Times and Radio Free Europe. Stephanie is author of a fantastic book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. It tells the story of how a furious financial war unfolded following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, from seizing superyachts to manipulating the global price of oil to blocking the sale of military technology -- a series of unprecedented sanctions that have radically rearranged global alliances.----------LINKS: Twitter: @stephanibakerhttps://stephaniebakerwriter.com/ ----------BOOKS:https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Punishing-Putin/Stephanie-Baker/9781668050583https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/punishing-putin-inside-the-global-economic-war-to-bring-down-russia-stephanie-baker?variant=40921316196430----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Silicon Bites Ep341 | 2026-05-19 | We have a habit of creating weapons, figurative and literal, that can be turned to beat us, manipulate us, and shape our cognitive space, in ways that betray our own interests. Social media is one – now the playground of grifters, tyrants, kleptocrats and tech fascists. Another is the concept of ‘Good Russians’. There are no good Russians – not because there are not some Russians resisting their regime, or others that take on personal responsibility for their regime’s crimes. There are some. I know many of them, and do not want to malign their efforts. There are no good Russians, because this is a horrible concept that cannot clearly be defined, and means different things to different people. It is subjective, emotive, vague and open to massive manipulation. I propose an alternative, useful versus useless Russians. Also, through brainwashing, learned helplessness, and the empathy bypass they have undergone over decade, no centuries even, there are very, very few Russians that can be called useful.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SOURCES:Atlantic Council — Peter Dickinson, "Ukraine's military success is exposing the myth of inevitable Russian victory" (April 2026) Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Jack Watling, "Russia's Aggression in Ukraine Will Persist Through 2026" (February 2026)Mick Ryan's Strategic Notebook (Substack) — "Whose Victory Day?" (May 2026) Wikipedia / scholarly source — "Krymnash" entry — Russian "Crimea is ours" 2014 propaganda slogan; Ukrainian ironic reappropriation; scholar Mikhail Suslov on meme evolution; 2015 polling that 52% of Russians considered "Krymnash" a symbol of national "pride and revival"Al Jazeera — "Ukraine's latest weapon in the war: Jokes" (September 2022) The Conversation — "Ctrl-alt-defy: How Ukrainians have used memes to counter Russia's propaganda machine" (December 2025-February 2026)Wikipedia — "Executed Renaissance" (current) — Розстріляне відродження; Yuriy Lavrinenko anthology Paris 1959; 223 writers arrested or executed; ~300 Ukrainian intellectuals executed at Sandarmokh between 27 October and 4 November 1937; 30,000 intellectuals repressed; Soviet "nativization" policy 1920s collapse; 1930 Union for the Liberation of Ukraine show trial----------

Shaun Pinner is a former British soldier and Ukrainian Marine. He has written an extraordinary first-hand account of the war in Ukraine, his capture, imprisonment, and torture by the Russian invaders. Shaun was a retired and decorated British soldier, living peacefully in Mariupol with his Ukrainian family. But the full-scale war began, and after fighting alongside Ukrainian army colleagues, he found himself imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine, and embarking on an unexpected and unimaginable fight for survival. After the horrors of frontline fighting, Shaun had to survive his capture by Russian soldiers, and his removal to a Black Site – an off-grid FSB prison operating outside all human rights conventions – where he was subjected to a campaign of torture by Putin's secret police.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/olddog100uahttps://www.facebook.com/snowy5599https://www.instagram.com/snowy_ua/https://linktr.ee/old_dog_uahttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKJQYBPRV6YNL----------BOOKS:Live. Fight. Survive.: An ex-British soldier’s account of courage, resistance and defiance fighting for Ukraine against Russia Paperback (2023)by Shaun Pinner (Author)----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/----------DESCRIPTION: Shaun Pinner on Captivity, Mariupol, and the Next Front: Russia’s Cognitive War Against Ukraine and the WestJonathan Fink is joined by former Ukrainian marine POW Shaun Pinner, who fought for Mariupol, survived Russian captivity and torture, and now uses YouTube, Substack, and a book to inform both Western and Ukrainian audiences. Pinner describes shifting from combat to journalism after rehab, injury, and family commitments, and explains the “media wall” between Western narratives and Ukrainian realities, including the exclusion of pro-Ukrainian Russian-speaking Ukrainians. They promote a fundraiser to buy “vampire” drones for the Khartia unit and discuss sustaining and expanding pro-Ukraine engagement, especially among younger demographics. Pinner recounts efforts to reach North American media, warns about Russian propaganda and “neutrality,” and argues the war is increasingly cognitive and political, with Russia laundering its reputation internationally while destabilizing democracies. He outlines why a Russian victory would threaten NATO and highlights hope in a special tribunal and his lawsuit setting precedent for claims against the Russian state.----------CHAPTERS:01:05 From POW to Creator03:29 Breaking Media Narratives05:51 Vampire Drone Fundraiser07:06 Growing the Pro Ukraine Bubble09:20 Tours and Genocide Reality15:20 Soundbites and Propaganda21:17 Cognitive Warfare Front27:13 Debunking Ukraine Myths33:59 Why Russia Threatens All42:51 Justice and Tribunal Hope----------

Silicon Bites Ep339 | 2026-05-18 | Apparently, Taiwan is up for negotiation. But what is Trump’s price – is it personal profit, or U.S. national interest that this betrayal will serve? How Trump came back from Beijing and put a $14 billion arms package — and an island democracy — 'up for negotiation'", while kowtowing to a communist dictator. I must ask, Americans are you tired of the endless winning yet? And a small reminder – Ukrainian had multiple revolutions triggered by a lot less than this grifter clown is doing. He’s dismantling American soft power, hard power, alliances, security architecture, economy, governance in real time, without much apparent pushback. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SOURCES:Axios — "Trump waffles on $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after talking to China's Xi" (15 May 2026) Time — "Trump Leaves U.S. Support for Taiwan Uncertain After Beijing Visit" (16 May 2026)CNN Politics — "May 14-15, 2026 — Trump's China state visit and meetings with Xi Jinping" (15 May 2026)PBS NewsHour — "Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit aimed at steadying US-China ties" (15 May 2026)CNBC — "Xi warns Trump: Mishandling Taiwan will put U.S.-China relationship in 'great jeopardy'" (14 May 2026)CNN Politics — "Taiwan anxiously eyes Trump's summit in China, with $14 billion in US arms sales up in the air" (13 May 2026) MSNBC / Rachel Maddow Blog — "Despite the hype, Trump leaves China empty-handed and no better off than he was before" (15 May 2026) Wikipedia — "Trump Always Chickens Out" (current) — Robert Armstrong / Financial Times May 2025 coinage; Ukraine application ("Trump suggested that the onus was now on Ukraine to give up territory"); Greenland, NATO tariffs, Iran applications; EACO/EUCO variants; pattern of adversaries learning to exploit the reversal patternCBS News — "Trump was asked about the 'TACO' trade and called it a 'nasty question'" (May 2025)South China Morning Post — "From 'Taco' to 'Nacho': the new buzzword on Wall Street as Trump preps for China trip" (May 2026) AFP / GPS Daily — "Rubio rejects US abandoning Taiwan for China deal" (October 2025) — Rubio: "If what people are worried about is we're going to get some trade deal... in exchange for walking away from Taiwan, no one is contemplating that"; longstanding US policy framework; Trump's prior doubt that China would invadeAInvest / Times of India — "U.S.-China Trade Pact Omits Taiwan, Leaving Strategic Tensions Unresolved" (November 2025)----------

Jake Broe is a United States Air Force veteran who served for six years as a Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer. But you may know him better as one of the most prominent voices on YouTube throughout the war, someone with absolute moral clarity about who the victim of the war is – spoilers, it’s Ukraine – and who brings direct military experience to his detailed analysis of the unfolding conflict. Do please subscribe to his channel for videos updates on the war in Ukraine as well as conversations with engaging speakers, expert guests, and other YouTubers.----------LINKS: @JakeBroe https://www.youtube.com/@JakeBroe https://twitter.com/RealJakeBroehttps://www.instagram.com/jakebroe/https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakebroehttps://www.patreon.com/join/jakebroe----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------DESCRIPTION: ----------CHAPTERS:----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------

2026-05-17 | UPDATES #204 | This is the most genuinely shocking element of the four. Because Tulsi Gabbard's biolabs investigation is the formal validation, by the US intelligence apparatus itself, of what was officially classified as Kremlin disinformation in 2022.The chronology, captured across the New York Post, RT, the Pravda network, Newsweek, and the Wikipedia summary of the Ukraine bioweapons conspiracy theory:In March 2022, two weeks into Russia's full-scale invasion, the Russian Defence Ministry alleged that the United States was operating "secret biolabs" in Ukraine developing biological weapons. The claim was, at that point, comprehensively rejected by Western institutions. The Pentagon stated explicitly that its biological research in Ukraine focused on improving public health and agricultural safety. The New York Times described the Russian claim as "a baseless theory." NPR described it as "a lurid and difficult to believe claim." The Guardian, CBS News, Bloomberg, and others called it "a conspiracy theory." The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the United Nations, the WHO, and Russian scientists themselves — including Russian scientists inside Russia — all rejected the bioweapons claim as Kremlin disinformation produced to retrospectively justify the invasion.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: ----------

Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia’s war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------DESCRIPTION:----------CHAPTERS:----------

2026-05-14 | UPDATES #202 | Putin used the ceasefire to stockpile. He used the days after his tinpot dictator parade to probe Ukrainian airspace with decoy drones, and last night he struck. We said he would and explained why he would. Putin is a rational psychopath who can’t bear to make concessions, or be perceived as in the debt of others, allies and partners, but especially not enemies. He knows that his pathetic so-called victory parade only happened because of concessions made by Ukraine, and that drives him insane. His elites and Z-Patriots understand this too. But lashing out, he is seeking to change the agenda, shift the optics, but he is also sending a message to his ‘elites’ – I can still inflict pain, fear and violence. I am still the strongman you believed me to be – I have no moral or political restraints – so don’t try anything. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: UNITED24 Media — "Russia Launches Record 1,600-Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine" (14 May 2026) NPR / AP — "Russia hits Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles, killing 1 and injuring 31" (14 May 2026) Kyiv Post — "Kyiv Under Massive Russian Attack as Missiles and Drones Target Capital" (14 May 2026) Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine war latest: Ukraine targets 3 major Russian energy facilities overnight" (13-14 May 2026)ABC News / AP — "Russia hits Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles, injuring at least 4" (14 May 2026) Kyiv Post / ISW — "ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, Map and Update, May 13, 2026" (13 May 2026) New Geopolitics Research Network — Mykhailo Samus, "Complexity and Layering: How Ukraine's Air Defence Must Operate" (15 November 2025) New Geopolitics Research Network — Mykhailo Samus, "Ukraine's 'Small Air Defense' Revolution — and Why America Should Be Paying Attention" (11 March 2026) CEPA — "Ukraine's Air Defenses — World Class, and Improving" (April 2026) UNITED24 Media — "How Ukraine Started 2026 with Record Anti-Shahed Drone Production and a New Era in Air Defense" (9 January 2026) Defense News — "Novel interceptor drones bend air-defense economics in Ukraine's favor" (5 March 2026) Army Recognition — "Ukraine unveils new Stash air defense system armed with Hellfire missiles during Russian drone attack" (May 2026)Think Tank Journal — "The World War of Drones: How Ukraine Is Redefining Defense Technology" (30 April 2026) ----------

2026-05-13 | UPDATES #201 | Russian assets assemble – how four synchronised attacks on Zelenskyy landed in the same 72 hours — and why the coordination is the story. The Mendel interview, the Yermak charges, the Gabbard biolabs allegation revival, and Putin’s first-ever use of the phrase 'Mr Zelensky' — all in the same week. What is going on? We try to find patterns in the apparent chaos. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: The Tucker Carlson Show — Mendel interview, "Zelensky's Press Secretary Reveals All: Cocaine, Cover-ups, and the Only Obstacle Preventing Peace" (11 May 2026)LIGA.net — "Zelensky's former spokeswoman mentions surrender of Donbas. The OP says the lady did not participate in the negotiations" (11 May 2026) RBC-Ukraine — "Former Ukrainian presidential aide Yermak under investigation by anti-corruption bodies" (11 May 2026) Censor.NET — "NABU has notified former Head of the Presidential Office Yermak of the charges" (11 May 2026)RT — "Tulsi Gabbard's Ukrainian biolab investigation: what you need to know" (12 May 2026) RT — "Gabbard launches probe into 120+ US-funded biolabs in Ukraine and beyond" (12 May 2026) Newsweek — "Tulsi Gabbard Labeled a 'Russian Asset' for Pushing U.S. Biolabs in Ukraine Claim" (31 March 2022)Wikipedia — "Ukraine bioweapons conspiracy theory" — Comprehensive documentation of 2022 disinformation rejection by NYT, NPR, Guardian, CBS, Bloomberg, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, UN, US government, Ukrainian government; Russian scientists' own rejection; Zignal Labs and Pyrra Technologies analysis of origin in pre-invasion English-language influencer ecosystemHead Post — "More than 40 US-funded biolabs in Ukraine, says intelligence chief as Washington orders full inquiry" (12 May 2026)NBC News — "Hegseth halted weapons for Ukraine despite military analysis that the aid wouldn't jeopardize U.S. readiness" (July 2025) CNN — "Ukraine aid: Hegseth did not inform the White House before he authorized a pause on weapon shipments" (July 2025) The Hill — "Hegseth says $400M in Ukraine support released after McConnell's angry op-ed" (late April 2026)NOTUS — "Hegseth Says the Pentagon Released Funds for Ukraine" (late April 2026) — Don Bacon (R-NE) on Colby's "1890s to 1930s foreign policy"; Republican concerns about isolationist currentKyiv Post — "Hegseth Says Pentagon Released $400M in Ukraine Aid After Lawmaker Pressure" (late April 2026)The Hill — "Pentagon's pause on Ukraine munitions raises alarm; Democrats see 'rogue actors'" (July 2025) ----------

Christine Khariv is Business Development Manager at DLF attorneys-at-law Ukraine. Christine writes eloquently and passionately about Ukraine on LinkedIn and Twitter, exposing Russian falsehoods, and advocating for Ukraine’s cause.https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-khariv-qris/----------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.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampires----------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 Ep337 | 2026-05-12 | Assets or idiots? Delusional or disingenuous. Politics as usual, or treacherous behaviour? Do they work for the Kremlin or for themselves? Iuliia Mendel's 96 Minutes with Tucker Carlson and the question that decides what they are, and whose interests they work for. 11–12 May 2026 — The Day After Mendel's Interview Drops — and the Day Russia's Propaganda Machine Lights It Up. We now have Yermak’s arrest, the Carlson interview and now some Ukrainian biolabs nonsense investigation being launched in the U.S. Are these things possibly connected? We’ll explore that in another episode tomorrow. For now, let’s turn to two figures that give a very convincing impression of acting as Russia assets.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SOURCES:The Tucker Carlson Show — "Zelensky's Press Secretary Reveals All: Cocaine, Cover-ups, and the Only Obstacle Preventing Peace" (11 May 2026, 96 minutes) LIGA.net — "Zelensky's former spokeswoman mentions surrender of Donbas. The OP says the lady did not participate in the negotiations" (11 May 2026) TASS — "Ukraine's rich do not revolt against Zelensky for fear of sanctions — former secretary" (11 May 2026)Pravda EN (news-pravda.com) — Multiple stories within 12 hours: "Former press secretary Yulia Mendel gave a scathing interview to American journalist Tucker Carlson" (6 hours); "Zelensky demanded Goebbels-style propaganda" (8 hours); "Donbas during negotiations with Russia in Istanbul in 2022"; "Yulia Mendel said that she had spoken to people who have known the comedian for more than 20 years - everyone says that he is on cocaine"; "Nord Stream blast linked to corruption dispute with Zelensky" (11 May 2026)Pravda USA (usa.news-pravda.com) — "Former press secretary Yulia Mendel in an interview with Tucker Carlson: Zelensky is one of the biggest obstacles to peace today" (11 May 2026) The New American — "Putin Says Ukraine War Is Nearing End" / Paul Dragu coverage (11 May 2026) ----------

Artur Dron is a 25-year-old Ukrainian poet, essayist, and combat veteran. Born in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast in western Ukraine. Graduated from the Department of Journalism at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Before the full-scale invasion, worked as event manager at The Old Lion Publishing House in Lviv — the publisher that would later issue Hemingway Knows Nothing. Saw combat across Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Seriously wounded in October 2024 by an anti-personnel mine. Endured multiple surgeries and a nerve transplant after shrapnel injuries. Demobilised in July 2025 due to disability — discharged on 4 July 2025, completing service that began on 2 March 2022. His poetry has been translated into at least ten languages.----------BOOKS: Dormitory №6 (2020) We Were Here (2023)Hemingway Knows Nothing (2025)LINKS:https://warpoetryukraine.org/https://pen.org.ua/en/members/dron-arturhttps://ukraineworld.org/en/articles/stories/poetry-ukrainianhttps://chytomo.com/en/review-of-artur-dron-s-book-hemingway-knows-nothing/https://www.arrowsmithpress.com/journal/artur-dronhttps://book.artarsenal.in.ua/en/guest-2023/artur-dron-2/To purchase Artur's book of poetry in UK: https://www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page/we-were-here----------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.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampires----------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----------