2026-04-06 | UPDATES #165 | Ukraine takes the war to Russia’s oil jugular. Novorossiysk is burning, again. Russia's most important oil export hub on the Black Sea — the endpoint for pipelines carrying crude from Siberia, the Urals, and Kazakhstan — was hammered overnight by more than fifty Ukrainian drones, in what multiple analysts are calling the most ambitious and damaging Ukrainian strike on the port to date.The West is telling Ukraine to ease up. And Ukraine is telling the West, no, through its actions. What are some of the so-called Western partners really asking – whether Ukraine can destroy itself, and submit to the invader, for their convenience. Die, to buy to West some time, while they fail to prepare for the Russian threat. The optics of this are gross, the hypocrisy nauseating and the lack of strategic understanding and myopia just astounding. If Russia is strengthened through oil and gas revenues, it’s profile as a threat to Europe simply increases.And it wasn't just oil infrastructure. Ukraine hit a Russian missile frigate. It hit an offshore drilling rig. It hit a Be-12 amphibious aircraft in occupied Crimea. All in the same night. All while Russia was simultaneously raining drones on Odesa — killing three people there, including a toddler.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Kyiv Independent — "Novorossiysk port on fire again as Ukrainian strike campaign on Russian oil. Kyiv Independent — "Ukraine targets Russian frigate, oil rig amid overnight Black Sea attack, military says," April 6, 2026. Kyiv Post — "Ukraine Nails Russian Missile Frigate in Novorossiysk Strike, Hits Black Sea Rig," April 6, 2026.Kyiv Post — "Ukrainian Drone Attack Badly Damages Russia's Main Black Sea Oil Terminal," April 6, 2026.Al Jazeera — "Ukraine strikes Russian Black Sea energy hub Novorossiysk," April 6, 2026. The Moscow Times — "Ukrainian Drone Attack Triggers Fire at Key Russian Black Sea Oil Terminal," April 6, 2026. Reuters via MarineLink — "Ukrainian Drones Attack Caspian Pipeline Consortium's Black Sea Terminal," April 6, 2026. Defence Blog — "Ukraine strikes key Russian oil terminal," April 6, 2026. ----------

2026-04-05 | UPDATES #164 | Orbán's Pipeline Plot, Russia's Election Machine, and the Seven Days That Could Kill Hungarian Democracy. Today — Sunday, April 5th, 2026 — exactly seven days before Hungary goes to the polls in what may be the most consequential election in European history this year — two backpacks containing what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described as explosives of "devastating power" were found a few hundred metres from the TurkStream gas pipeline in northern Serbia, near the Hungarian border.Within hours, Viktor Orbán convened an extraordinary defence council in Budapest. He posted on Facebook that Serbian authorities had uncovered "a powerful explosive device and activation mechanisms at a critical gas infrastructure site linking Serbia and Hungary." The investigation is underway. The pipeline carries Russian natural gas from Turkey through the Balkans to Hungary and Central Europe. If you have been watching the Hungarian election campaign, this moment was not a surprise. It was predicted. Warned about. Flagged by intelligence services, investigative journalists, opposition leaders, and European policy analysts — for weeks. What you are watching may be the most telegraphed false flag operation in modern European political history. And it is happening right now.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters via Global Banking & Finance — "Explosives Found Near Serbia-Hungary Gas Pipeline, Orban Warns," April 5, 2026.Bloomberg — "Serbia's Vucic Says Explosive Found at Gas Pipe Near Hungary," April 5, 2026.Türkiye Today — "Explosives found close to major gas pipeline in northern Serbia near Hungary," April 5, 2026.Arab News — "Serbian president says explosives found near gas pipeline to Hungary," April 5, 2026.Daily News Hungary — "Explosives found near Serbia-Hungary gas pipeline, army seals roads near border," April 5, 2026.Report.az — "Serbia thwarts sabotage attempt on key energy facility," April 5, 2026.Washington Post — "To tilt Hungarian election, Russians proposed staging assassination attempt," March 21, 2026.Insight News Media — "Magyar accuses Russia of deploying GRU agents to sway Hungary vote," March 2026.Balkan Insight / BIRN — "Hungary's Election Campaign: From Russia with Love," March 18, 2026.----------

Today I’m speaking with Anders Puck Nielsen, military analyst and influential YouTuber based in Denmark. He specialises in naval warfare and strategy. His public project now spans a YouTube channel, the Logic of War newsletter, and the book The Logic of War, which he describes as an accessible introduction to modern warfare.----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuck https://www.logicofwar.com/https://www.anderspucknielsen.dk/home/https://twitter.com/anderspuckhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anderspucknielsen/https://bsky.app/profile/anderspucknielsen.dk----------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----------

Zarina Zabrisky is an American writer based in the Bay Area, California. She is the author of the novel, We, Monsters, several collections of short stories, including Explosion, A Cute Tombstone and her debut work, Iron, and a book of collaborative poetry and art, Green Lions, co-written with Simon Rogghe. Zabrisky is currently based in Odesa, Ukraine. From the beginning of the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zabrisky has been reporting on the war in Ukraine for Euromaidan Press, Byline Times and A Community Alliance, and has been published in The Paris Review and various other publications. ----------ARTICLE:https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/16/mined-in-starved-out-hunted-from-above-life-in-the-towns-russia-demands-at-the-peace-table/#google_vignettehttps://bylinetimes.com/2025/05/29/un-confirms-russian-drone-attacks-on-kherson-are-crimes-against-humanity-and-war-crimes/FILM:🎥 Kherson: Human safari | How to survive when Russia is hunting you? | Documentary Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaAUV3JmxwMLINKS:http://www.zarinazabrisky.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarina_Zabriskyhttps://euromaidanpress.com/author/zarinazabrisky/https://kyivindependent.com/author/zarina-zabrisky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/zarinazabrisky/----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga’s Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine’s largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

2026-04-04 | UPDATES #163 | Trump's Vanishing Act, the War That Won't End, and the Vance Question Nobody Wants to Answer. At 11:08 this morning, the White House called a lid. For the non-initiated: that means the President of the United States will not be seen in public for the rest of the day. No statements, no cameras, no departure for Mar-a-Lago. And on a weekend when there is a remarkable amount going on. During a war. With an American airman missing in Iran and fighter jets being shot down.Within hours, social media erupted with speculation that Donald Trump was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre. The White House response was a post on X from Communications Director Steven Cheung praising Trump's work ethic over the Easter weekend. A Marine sentry posted outside the Oval Office would suggest that Trump was in the office, but this has not prevented fevered media speculation from blowing up. Speculation that forced Donald Trump’s spokesman to deny the US President’s death and hospitalisation rumours. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. 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 Mirror US — "White House denies Trump is in the hospital as new health rumors explode," April 4, 2026.AOL — "White House denies Trump is in the hospital," April 4, 2026.The Deep Dive — "Trump Sparks Health Speculation as White House Calls Lid Amid Iran Conflict," April 4, 2026.IBTimes UK — "Trump Trends Online After Unconfirmed Reports Place Him at Walter Reed," April 4, 2026.Inkl — "Is Trump at Walter Reed? Facts from the Official Announcement," April 4, 2026.Türkiye Today — "Trump allegedly hospitalized at Walter Reed as White House calls lid," April 4, 2026.Irish Star — "Trump health rumors explode as White House denies Walter Reed visit," April 4, 2026.CBS News — "Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency," July 17, 2025.ABC News — "Trump diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency,'" July 18, 2025. https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-vascular-testing-leg-swelling-white-house/story?id=123839307----------

Col. (Ret.) Vitalii Ostapchuk is the Co-Founder and Director of Memory Way, a Ukrainian non-profit initiative dedicated to preserving memory, dignity, and historical truth through meaningful action in Ukraine and internationally.Michael Henshaw is the Founder and President of the Asymmetric MIA Accounting Group – AMAG, Inc. He is a combat veteran and senior executive with more than 25 years of experience in military service, government leadership, and international operations.Marc Mazerolle is in pursuit of answers regarding the death of his son, Patrick Mazerolle, who died on the front lines in September 2025 at the age of 24. Mr. Mazerolle’s efforts to complete official recognition procedures, navigate international administrative processes, and raise the necessary funds to repatriate his son’s remains are covered in this interview. The family has mobilized community support, raising over $50,000 to cover legal and logistical costs.----------LINKS:Memory Way: https://www.memoryway.org.ua/leadership/How you can help: https://www.memoryway.org.ua/how-you-can-help/Donations: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-mia-families-find-closure-fund-amag-worldwide-recoveries----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

2026-04-04 | UPDATES #162 | Russia recorded almost no territorial gains in March. With just 23 SQ km approximately taken in March and losses elsewhere offsetting that advance. Russia’s rate of advance has collapsed compared with earlier months. (The Guardian)The fighting has not gone quiet. The war is not over. Moscow has not renounced its maximalist gains, not one bit. The big change is that their advance to achieve those aims has slowed already from a snail’s pace to stall completely. The front is still burning across more than 1,200 kilometres. Russian missiles and drones are still hammering Ukrainian cities in what Zelensky has called an “Easter escalation.” Men are still dying every hour from Pokrovsk to Huliaipole. But something important has shifted. The central fact, the one that cuts through all the noise, is this: after more than two years of grinding, costly, attritional offensives, Russia’s land campaign in Ukraine appears to have stalled. (Reuters) Does it have the techniques and resources to trigger movement again? ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, April 3, 2026 — Zelensky says the frontline situation is the best for Ukraine in 10 months. Reuters, April 3, 2026 — Zelensky denounces an “Easter escalation” as Russia intensifies daytime strikes. Reuters, April 1, 2026 — Russia claims full control of Luhansk; Ukraine disputes it. Associated Press, April 1, 2026 — Kyiv rejects Moscow’s Luhansk claim; AP notes ISW sees Ukrainian tactics disrupting Russian advances. The Guardian / AFP, April 4, 2026 — Russian army records almost no territorial gains in March; January, February and March comparative figures; Starlink/Telegram factor. The Kyiv Independent, April 3–4, 2026 — Zelensky says Russian losses in March topped 35,000; General Staff tally reaches 1,302,370 on April 4. Kyiv Post, April 2, 2026 — Report that Ukrainian forces recaptured more ground in March than they lost; Syrskyi says 480 sq km liberated since late January. Euromaidan Press, April 1–2, 2026 — Russian advance slowing; Kovalenko estimate of 31,960 Russian losses for 155 sq km in March, or 206 troops per sq km. Institute for the Study of War correction, April 3–4, 2026 — March 2026 gains figure corrected to 5.46 sq km after adding Lyptsi-area occupied ground. ----------

2026-04-03 | UPDATES #161 | Today in Russia, the digital money stopped moving. On Friday morning, customers of Sberbank — Russia’s biggest bank — began reporting failures in payments, transfers, app access, QR-code transactions, and even ATM withdrawals. Other major lenders, including VTB and T-Bank, were also hit by outage reports. Shops and petrol stations switched to cash-only. Moscow metro turnstiles opened for free because payment systems failed. Even a zoo in Belgorod told visitors to bring cash. In a metropolitan area of roughly 22 million people, that is not a glitch. That is a stress test of the everyday state.The official line was narrow and evasive. Russia’s National Payment Card System — the NSPK, the backbone behind the fast-payments network — said there had been a “technical failure at one of the banks” and insisted people’s funds were safe. Sberbank later said the problem had been resolved, without saying what caused it. At the time of reporting, there was no public proof of a cyberattack, and no official evidence of a systemic bank run or immediate insolvency event. What we do have is a government and banking system telling Russians, once again, not to panic while the digital plumbing collapses in public.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, April 3 — Moscow shoppers and travellers hit by payment system problem. The Moscow Times, April 3 — Mass outage hits Sberbank and other major Russian lenders. The Kyiv Independent, April 3 — Russia’s banks face major service outages amid internet crackdown. Reuters, March 31 — Russia goes after VPNs as “great crackdown” gathers pace. AP, March 14 / opened result — Moscow struggles with cellphone internet outages. The Guardian, March 31 — Russia slowly trying to splinter its internet from rest of world, analysts say. Chatham House, March 26 — Moscow internet blackouts: the Kremlin tightens its grip on Russia’s digital space. Apple Support, updated April 1 — Billing for Apple subscriptions and digital purchases in Russia. Meduza, April 1 — Russia blocks Apple ID mobile top-ups amid App Store dispute. The Moscow Times, April 1 — Russians lose access to Apple ID mobile payments. ----------