Silicon Bites Ep276 | 2025-12-19 | Tonight, a single number with regime-shaking implications: Urals crude at roughly thirty-five dollars a barrel — miles below global benchmarks, and catastrophically below what the Kremlin needs to fund its war-state on schedule. This is Russia’s flagship export grade trading like a sanctioned pariah — because it is. Let’s break it into three parts: what’s happening, why it’s happening, and why Putin’s war finances are now on the clock.According to Argus Media price assessments cited by RBC and reported by The Moscow Times, Urals shipped from Novorossiysk fell to $34.52 per barrel as of December 16, with Primorsk around $36.07. Same oil, different port — same story: distress rate pricing. (The Moscow Times)----------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-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe 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 ----------SOURCES:Reuters (Dec 19, 2025) — Sanctions drive Russian Urals crude discounts to 2022 levels - https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com%2C2025%3Anewsml_L8N3XO0PN%3A0-sanctions-drive-russian-urals-crude-discounts-to-2022-levels-reuters-calculations-show/Reuters (Dec 19, 2025) — Russia's tax proceeds from oil may fall in January to the lowest since 2022, Reuters calculations show - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-tax-proceeds-oil-may-fall-january-lowest-since-2022-reuters-calculations-2025-12-19/Reuters (Dec 19, 2025) — Oil prices climb as US blocks Venezuelan tankers, eyes on Russia-Ukraine talks (includes Brent/WTI settlements) - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-set-close-lower-second-straight-week-2025-12-19/Reuters (Dec 19, 2025) — Surging barrels at sea spook oil markets more than Russia or Venezuela (Kpler “on water” data) - https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/surging-barrels-sea-spook-oil-markets-more-than-russia-or-venezuela-2025-12-19/The Moscow Times (Dec 19, 2025) — Russian Oil Prices Sink Below $35 Per Barrel (citing Argus/RBC; includes Kluge quote) - https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/12/19/russian-oil-prices-sink-below-35-per-barrel-a91496----------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----------

2025-12-19 | UPDATES #083 | Ukraine is expanding the maritime war — not just in the Black Sea, but now out into the Mediterranean. A tanker burns at Rostov-on-Don. A “shadow fleet” vessel gets hit off Libya. And then comes the rumour: that a senior GRU figure — Major General Andrei Averyanov — may have been on board. Could this be Ukraine’s boldest move of the war so far? Start in southern Russia — Rostov-on-Don. Overnight into December 18, Ukrainian drones hit the region. Russian officials say three people were killed, including two crew members of a tanker that caught fire at the port. (Reuters)Reuters reports the vessel was the Russian-flagged tanker Valeriy Gorchakov — identification attributed to the British maritime risk firm Vanguard. (Reuters)----------SOURCES: Reuters (Dec 18, 2025) – Ukrainian drones kill three people in Russia's Rostov region, authorities say - https://www.reuters.com/world/ukrainian-drones-hit-tanker-russias-rostov-port-causing-deaths-mayor-says-2025-12-18/The Maritime Executive (Dec 18, 2025) – Ukrainian Long-Range Attack Kills Two Crew and Damages Tanker in Rostov - https://maritime-executive.com/article/ukrainian-long-range-attack-kills-two-crew-and-damages-tanker-in-rostovThe New Voice of Ukraine (Dec 18, 2025) – Oil tanker sinking in Russia's Rostov-on-Don after Ukrainian strike (reporting via Astra/MarineTraffic) - https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/oil-tanker-sinking-in-russia-s-rostov-on-don-50569696.htmlReuters (Dec 19, 2025) – Ukraine hits Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in Mediterranean for first time, SBU source says - https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-hits-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-mediterranean-first-time-sbu-source-2025-12-19/The Guardian (Dec 19, 2025) – Ukraine attacks Russian 'shadow' tanker off Libyan coast - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/19/ukraine-attacks-russian-shadow-tanker-off-libyan-coastLloyd’s List (Dec 19, 2025) – Ukraine targets shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean - https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1155927/Ukraine-targets-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-MediterraneanThe War Zone / TWZ (Dec 19, 2025) – Ukraine Strikes Russia-Linked Tanker In The Mediterranean With ‘Bomber Drone’ - https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-strikes-russia-linked-tanker-in-the-mediterranean-with-bomber-droneTradeWinds (Dec 19, 2025) – Video: Russia-trading tanker hit by fresh drone strike, Ukraine says - https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/video-russia-trading-tanker-hit-by-fresh-drone-strike-ukraine-says/2-1-1919744Reuters (Dec 10, 2025) – Ukraine disables 'shadow fleet' vessel with sea drones in Black Sea - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-disables-shadow-fleet-vessel-with-sea-drones-black-sea-2025-12-10/----------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-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe 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 ----------

Dr Pär Gustafsson Kurki is a seasoned analyst who has worked in academia, civil service and in the private sector. He has 25+ years of experience as a Russia observer. Since February 2020, he has worked full-time for the Swedish Defence Research Agency as a researcher and analyst. His main area of expertise is Russian security policy. From September 2021 to February 2024, he was a Deacon Candidate in the Church of Sweden, and is still an active member of the Church and participates in parish life.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustafssonpar/ https://en.kkrva.se/gangstervalde-blir-statskonst-i-rysslands-krigforing/----------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-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe 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 ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.