David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone’ podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://www.protectingtherepublic.com/https://substack.com/@protectingtherepublichttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------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----------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/----------

2026-03-13 | UPDATES #144 | This is big. Earlier this week Ukraine just struck one of the nerve centres of Russia’s missile-industrial machine. Why Ukraine hit Kremniy EL now, and why it matters.This is not just another oil depot or barracks. Not another ammo dump or drone cache. A microelectronics plant. It is the very definition of hitting the archer, not just the arrows. The target was Kremniy EL in Bryansk, a major Russian manufacturer of military-use microelectronics near the Ukrainian border. On March 10, Ukraine’s military said it hit the facility with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, and President Volodymyr Zelensky said the plant produced electronics and components for Russian missiles — the same missiles, as he put it, that hit Ukrainian cities, villages and civilians. (Reuters)Reuters reports that Ukraine described Kremniy EL as “a critically important link in the chain of production of Russian high precision weapons,” while the General Staff said “significant damage” to production facilities had been recorded, with the full extent still being assessed. This was not opportunistic, but industrial warfare, targeted and deliberate. (Reuters)----------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 this week, 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 January 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, “Zelenskiy says Ukraine's military hit key Russian missile plant in Bryansk region” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Ukrainian missile strike on Russia's Bryansk causes casualties, local governor says” — March 10, 2026. The Kyiv Independent, “Ukraine strikes missile control systems plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, Zelensky says” — March 10, 2026. Ukrainska Pravda, “Ukraine's General Staff releases footage of Storm Shadow strike on Bryansk plant in Russia” — March 10, 2026. Meduza, “ВСУ нанесли удар ракетами Storm Shadow по заводу микроэлектроники ‘Кремний Эл’ в Брянске” — March 10, 2026. Deutsche Welle Russian, “ВСУ нанесли ракетный удар по производителю военной продукции в Брянске” — March 10, 2026. ----------

Silicon Bites Ep301 | 2026-03-13 | Let’s be precise. The whole front is not collapsing. But on one crucial stretch of the southern battlefield, Russian defences have very clearly been breached, rolled back, and thrown into disorder. Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” says it has liberated Ternove in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, after a hard-fought assault on the Oleksandrivka axis — the borderland where Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk oblasts grind into one another.Local public broadcaster Suspilne Dnipro reported the liberation on 11 March, citing the regiment and an on-air interview with battalion commander Andrii Kiianenko. (Суспільне | Новини)What’s confirmed? Ukrainian forces have been conducting a sustained counteroffensive on this axis since late January. Ukraine’s military leadership says more than 400 square kilometres have been retaken on the broader front. Ukrainian and outside analysts say the initiative on this sector has shifted, at least locally, toward Kyiv. Ternove is now being reported as back under Ukrainian control. (Pravda)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Suspilne Dnipro, 11 March 2026 — report on Ternove’s liberation and interview with battalion commander Andrii Kiianenko.UA.NEWS, 11 March 2026 — regiment-linked account of the operation, including Jan. 30 start date, 200 assault troops, three-day clearing phase, ongoing counterattacks, and preliminary casualty claims. Ukrainska Pravda, 9 March 2026 — Syrskyi on the Oleksandrivka counteroffensive and 400+ sq km regained. Kyiv Independent, 10 March 2026 — Emil Kastehelmi analysis and reporting that Ukraine pushed Russian troops from most occupied parts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Ukrinform, 10 March 2026 — Voloshyn on active counterattacks along the Dnipropetrovsk–Zaporizhzhia border and Huliaipole sector. RBC-Ukraine, 11 March 2026 — ISW-linked mapping update on advances around Ternove and broader front geometry.Kyiv Post, 10 March 2026 — Komarenko interview summary on the planned offensive, 400+ sq km regained, and the “buffer zone” logic. ----------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----------

Silicon Bites Ep300 | 2026-03-11 | Oilpocalypse? Iran’s Hormuz shock meets Russia’s budget hole. How Iran’s war just threw Putin a lifeline. A few weeks ago, the mood in Moscow was not triumphalist. It was anxious. Because before the Iran war detonated global oil markets, Russia’s own Central Bank had already started telegraphing a much uglier reality: weaker oil, weaker exports, more budget strain, and a narrowing room for manoeuvre on rates and inflation. In February, the Bank of Russia cut its key rate to 15.5%, while official and semi-official reporting around that decision pointed to a much weaker outlook for Urals crude, with the bank’s baseline effectively built around $45 oil in 2026. Public reporting at the time said Urals had fallen as low as $41 a barrel, well below the assumptions used in the Russian budget.Oilpocalypse? Or Oil Resurrection? A few weeks ago, Russia had a problem. Its war economy is powered by not so much by cash flow from making and selling products, but from hydrocarbons flow. And oil-and-gas revenues still matter enormously to the federal budget. Reuters reported last week that oil and gas revenues account for roughly a quarter to a third of Russian budget income, and that falling oil prices were already being flagged as a key fiscal risk even before the Middle East crisis went fully incandescent. Reuters also noted that Moscow’s budget assumptions were under pressure from both lower oil prices and a stronger rouble, which means fewer roubles earned per export dollar.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------SOURCES:Reuters, “US weighs easing Russian oil sanctions to cool global price surge, sources say” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Trump says US is waiving certain oil-related sanctions to ensure supply” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Trump weighs easing Russia sanctions, other measures to cool oil prices” — March 9, 2026.Reuters, “US energy chief defends waiver on Russian oil sanctions, blames fear for higher gas prices” — March 8, 2026.Reuters, “EU urges US to strictly enforce G7 price cap on Russian oil” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Russia is the only winner of Middle East war, EU’s Costa says” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Putin says energy crisis has arrived but Russia is ready to work with Europe” — March 9, 2026. Reuters, “Russian oil prices soar though tanker costs eat into gains” — March 10, 2026. Reuters, “Russia gets export boost from Iran war as price of oil to India surges” — March 6, 2026. Reuters, “Iran-fuelled oil price rally not enough to balance Russia’s budget” — March 3, 2026. Reuters, “Oil jumps to 2022 high on Iran war, falls after close as Russia sanctions in doubt” — March 8, 2026. Reuters, “Aramco sees ‘catastrophic consequences’ for oil markets if Hormuz strait remains blocked” — March 10, 2026. ----------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----------

2026-03-12 | UPDATES #143 | What does it say about the state of mind in the Putin regime, that it has started normalising communications blackouts in its own capital? This is where Russia is now – internet shutdowns in the centre of Moscow have become daily occurrences. Is it to do with war security, as the regime claims, or is it to do with fears of a coup, circulating as rumours? Over the past week, Moscow, St Petersburg, and other Russian cities have seen repeated mobile internet outages, with residents reporting they could not load apps, call taxis, access websites, complete payments, or sometimes even place normal calls. On March 10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the shutdowns were real, saying they were being imposed for security reasons and were being carried out “in strict compliance with current legislation.” A day later, the Kremlin doubled down, saying the restrictions would last “as long as necessary” for public safety. That is the official story: security. But in Russia, “security” is a broad and opaque explanation. It comes with the hint and shadow of the feared security and intelligence services, the successors to the KGB. And increasingly, it is a method for switching off normal life.----------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 this week, 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 January 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, March 10, 2026 — Kremlin says Moscow mobile internet outages are done for sake of security.Meduza, March 10, 2026 — The Kremlin says it’s cutting off mobile Internet access for security reasons. Muscovites say they’re resigning themselves to regular blackouts. The Guardian, March 12, 2026 — Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan. Kyiv Independent, March 11, 2026 — Fact-check: Moscow internet outages spark coup rumors — experts say it's 'wishful thinking'. Reuters, September 5, 2025 — Russia lists local apps that will survive its internet blackouts. Reuters, February 12, 2026 — Russia fully blocks WhatsApp, talks up state-backed alternative. President of Russia / Kremlin website, February 20, 2026 — law requiring telecom providers to suspend services at the FSB’s request. ----------

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----------David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone’ podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------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----------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/----------

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----------

David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone’ podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://www.protectingtherepublic.com/https://substack.com/@protectingtherepublichttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security. ----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------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----------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/----------