2026-02-18 | UPDATES #135 | Putin’s mobilisation rumour machine. Is this why the ban is dropping on Telegram in Russia? If you want to understand where Putin’s regime thinks the real danger lives, don’t look at the front line first. Look at the phone in your pocket. Putin is more afraid of the power of phones and the messaging apps they contain, as a platform for the coordination of resistance to his regime, than he is of losing personnel and territory on the battlefield. ----------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 (18 Feb 2026): Shadayev claims foreign spies can see Telegram messages; troops won’t lose access “for now”; MAX push.Novaya Gazeta Europe (17 Feb 2026): Baza claim of full Telegram block from 1 April; Roskomnadzor “nothing to add.” Ukrainian Pravda (17 Feb 2026): Summary of Baza report; Roskomnadzor response. TASS factbox (17 Feb 2026): Duma figures call April 1 talk premature/unconfirmed. The Guardian (11 Feb 2026): Rare criticism from soldiers/pro-war bloggers; Telegram’s military utility; Durov response. Amnesty International (10 Feb 2026): “Slowing down” Telegram as digital repression / free expression blow. The New Voice of Ukraine (17 Feb 2026): Yigal Levin links Telegram move to fear of unrest; mobilisation speculation mentioned. The Moscow Times (6 Feb 2026): January deficit; oil & gas revenue drop; Reuters-sourced deficit-risk estimates; Inozemtsev quote on war funding into 2027. Kyiv Independent (12 Feb 2026): Ukraine-linked claim losses exceeded recruitment for second month.Japan Times / Bloomberg (17 Feb 2026): UK says Russia relying more on foreign fighters. RFI / France 2 interview coverage (5 Feb 2026): Zelenskyy on two years / Donbas cost framing.----------