2025-10-24 | Silicon Wafers 040 | DAILY UPDATES | Is the Kremlin finally feeling real bite from Sanctions? Are oil sanctions by US and UK, and pressure on the shadow tankers, helping the first cracks emerge in Putin’s war economy?Washington, London and Brussels just fired a coordinated broadside at the Kremlin’s cash machine. Russia calls it “unfriendly.” China bristles. India flinches. Europe quietly tightens the noose on the shadow fleet. Meanwhile, small but telling acts of dissent flicker in St. Petersburg, and fresh reporting shows how the Russian “elite” keep looting their own house even as it burns. At last measures are being taken which may hasten Putin’s demise. The sanctions blitz finally hits the bullseyeThe big move: the United States sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies—the beating heart of Putin’s war budget and war machine financing. This is the first Ukraine-related Russia sanctions package of Trump’s second term—and according to some commentators, it’s a sledgehammer. As Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put it: “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.” (Reuters, Oct 22, 2025)----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine’s beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------SOURCES: US sanctions Rosneft & Lukoil (with quotes and analyst reaction) — Reuters, Oct 22, 2025China state oil majors suspend Russian oil purchases — Reuters, Oct 23, 2025India poised to sharply cut Russian oil imports; Reliance steps back — Reuters, Oct 23, 2025Putin reaction (“unfriendly act”) & EU sanctions — Guardian live, Oct 23, 2025Putin warns; says economy will weather sanctions — Reuters, Oct 23, 2025UK sanctions Rosneft, Lukoil, 44 shadow-fleet ships; quotes from Reeves/Cooper — UK Government press release, Oct 15, 2025EU 19th package: 117 more vessels listed (557 total), reinsurance ban, LNG measures; Kaja Kallas quote — Council of the EU, Oct 23, 2025EU plans maritime declaration on shadow fleet inspections — Reuters, Oct 19, 2025Denmark tightens Skagen checks on “old and worn-out” tankers — Maritime Executive & TradeWinds, Oct 6–8, 2025IMF downgrades Russia 2025 GDP growth to 0.6% — Reuters, Oct 14, 2025Nabiullina flags gasoline spike & inflation expectations — Reuters, Oct 9, 2025G7 could shave $80bn/yr off Russia oil income with enforcement — Reuters Breakingviews, Oct 13, 2025----------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----------