Artem Moroz is a Ukrainian defense innovation and investment ecosystem specialist best known publicly for his leadership work inside BRAVE1, Ukraine’s state-backed defence-tech cluster. He is BRAVE1’s head of investor relations and a senior figure working on partnerships and international cooperation. Moroz has been a visible spokesperson for BRAVE1’s international outreach — most notably Ukraine’s “Test in Ukraine” initiative (a framework for foreign manufacturers to trial systems with Ukrainian forces and receive operational feedback). BRAVE1 is Ukraine’s defence-tech coordination platform created under the umbrella of the country’s wartime innovation push. It was launched under Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation in April 2023, to coordinate officials, military users, industry, investors, and donors to accelerate the loop from prototype to approval and deployment. BRAVE1's objectives include: 1) Accelerate battlefield innovation cycles 2) Direct funding to priority capabilities 3) Align developers with real military demand 4) Build an investable defence-tech ecosystem 5) Increase domestic production independence (components and scale) 6) International cooperation and “Test in Ukraine” ---------- LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artemmoroz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brave1ukraine/posts/ https://brave1.gov.ua/en/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave1 https://digitalstate.gov.ua/projects/tech/brave1 https://x.com/BRAVE1ua?lang=en ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://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/extras https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation NONE 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 CURTAIN We 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! ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ---------- PLATFORMS: Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain? Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ----------

Cormac Smith has worked in Public Relations and Corporate Communications for over three decades. In 2016 he traveled to Ukraine to take up a special appointment as the ‘Strategic Communication Advisor’ to Pavlo Klimkin, then the Foreign Minister of Ukraine. He was attached to the British Embassy in Kyiv but was embedded in Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first foreigner to hold such a position. While in Kyiv, he also advised and provided training for five other government ministries and worked directly with three other cabinet ministers: Health, Education and the Deputy Prime Minister. ---------- LINKS: https://defencebrink.uk/ https://x.com/CormacS63 https://x.com/philipingmbe ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://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/extras https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation NONE 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 CURTAIN We 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! ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ---------- DESCRIPTION: Cormac Smith on Ukraine: Why “As Long As It Takes” Is Not a Strategy Jonathan interviews communications veteran Cormac Smith, formerly embedded in Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry as a strategic communications adviser, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Smith argues the West should have said “with Ukraine until they win,” criticizing “as long as it takes” as planless and enabling slow-walked, constrained military aid and excessive fear of Putin’s nuclear threats. He cites delayed provision of tanks, long-range missiles, and F-16s, and quotes Wesley Clark’s call to give Ukraine needed weapons, offer Putin no off-ramp, and ignore nuclear intimidation. Smith praises Ukraine’s resilience and unity of government, army, and people, but condemns Western moral weakness and insufficient UK defense spending, warning of Russian hybrid warfare and democratic decline. He contends Putin’s core motive is preserving a mafia-style regime threatened by a successful democratic Ukraine. ---------- CHAPTERS: 01:20 As Long As It Takes 02:34 Arm Ukraine To Win 06:01 Nuclear Blackmail Trap 08:57 Ukraine Resilience Lessons 10:37 West Lacks Backbone 13:02 Defense Spending Reality 15:24 Hybrid War Is Here 17:13 Democracy In Peril 20:26 US Shift And Europe 25:32 No Ukraine Without Fight 28:27 Putin Real Motives ---------- PLATFORMS: Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain? Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ----------

Livestream with Yuri Rashkin LINKS: https://rashkinreport.substack.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rashkin-report/id1183073638 ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation ---------- Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain The Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community: - 1 armoured battle-ready pickup We are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles? https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain - The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour. - The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour. - 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city. - 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ---------- SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtain https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras Our 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 We 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 Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemysl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ -----------

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/jasonjaysmart https://twitter.com/officejjsmart ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://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/extras https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation NONE 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 CURTAIN We 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! ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ---------- DESCRIPTION: 4 Years of War: Jason Jay Smart on Russia’s Weakness, Putin’s Resolve, and What the West Must Do Next. On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Jonathan interviews political advisor Jason Jay Smart, who argues the last four years have exposed major weaknesses in Russia’s military—its air force’s limited effectiveness, the army’s dysfunction, and Ukraine’s crippling of the Black Sea Fleet—while also highlighting Vladimir Putin’s unchanged resolve and willingness to absorb massive losses. Smart and Jonathan contend the war is a battle within a wider global conflict driven by a Russian worldview rooted in hierarchy, coercion, and absolute power rather than rule of law, and that Western leaders misunderstand Russia by assuming it thinks like Europe. They discuss Russia’s chauvinism toward Ukraine, why many Russians see Ukrainian independence as “betrayal,” and conclude the war will end only when Putin’s regime security is credibly threatened, requiring actions that destabilize his control rather than relying on sanctions alone. ---------- CHAPTERS: 01:20 Russia Military Reality Check 02:17 Putin Global War Framing 03:18 Rule of Law vs Power 04:04 Why Russia Thinks Differently 06:58 Trappings and Feudal Russia 09:25 Ukraine Identity and Betrayal 10:58 Hierarchy and War Crimes Logic 14:27 Regime Security Ends Wars 16:21 What Must Change Next Year ---------- PLATFORMS: Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtain? Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ----------

Silicon Bites Ep293 | 2026-02-25 | Druzhba on Fire: Ukraine’s drones, Orbán’s veto, Fico’s power cut — and Europe’s energy solidarity stress-test. I love the smell of burning Russian oil in the morning – it smells, like… VICTORY! You may have seen the videos of the burning installation? Absolutely spectacular. A fireball in Tatarstan — more than a thousand kilometers from the Ukrainian border — and suddenly Hungary and Slovakia are threatening to hold up EU sanctions and attempting to take Ukraine’s funding hostage (spoilers – they didn’t succeed). This is the Druzhba pipeline crisis: drones, oil, electricity supplies and two EU capitals trying to turn Russia’s outrageous aggression into their own political leverage. Druzhba means “friendship.” But 2026, it’s unfriendly actions that are taking centre stage. ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation ---------- SOURCES: Reuters — Ukrainian drones hit Druzhba-linked pumping station in Tatarstan (23 Feb 2026). RFE/RL — Explosion at key Druzhba-linked facility in Tatarstan (23 Feb 2026). Kyiv Independent — SBU source claims strike details on Kaleykino station (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Slovakia to stop emergency power supplies to Ukraine over Druzhba dispute (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Ukraine moves Druzhba resumption date to Feb 25, Slovakia says (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Hungary blocks sanctions and EU cash/loan amid Druzhba dispute; Kallas quote (23 Feb 2026). Reuters — Szijjártó: “We will not give in to this blackmail” (20 Feb 2026). Euronews — Hungary blocks sanctions package until oil transit resumes (22 Feb 2026). Euronews — Slovakia halts emergency power supply; Ukraine “ultimatums” response (23 Feb 2026). Kyiv Independent — Ukraine condemns Hungary/Slovakia “ultimatums and blackmail” (21 Feb 2026). The New Voice of Ukraine — Sybiha: Ukraine ready to “act constructively” (24 Feb 2026). ANSA — Szijjártó on blocking sanctions; Hungarian government framing (22 Feb 2026). Al Jazeera — EU sanctions some Russians as Hungary blocks broader measures; Druzhba dispute context (23 Feb 2026). ---------- SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtain https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras Our 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 We 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 ----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce and friends. Fundraising for equipment through Dzyga's Paw, and trucks for Car4Ukraine. Donate to help out: https://dzygaspaw.com/projects https://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaigns ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://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/extras https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain https://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation NONE 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 CURTAIN We 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! ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemysl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ -----------