2026-01-31 | UPDATES #121 | Russia raids elite branches of the military to feed the infantry — while casualties spike and “mobilization” stays politically radioactive. Some units becoming elite drone pilots, but the bulk of the ‘raw meat’ that Putin is trying to funnel into the army are still being expended in high-casualty, low-impact meat-wave attacks that result in catastrophic losses. Russia’s war machine is doing something armies do when they’re bleeding out: it’s consuming its own elite troops and specialists on senseless tactics that delivery little result. New reporting says Moscow is pulling people from the Strategic Missile Forces — yes, the nuclear deterrent branch — plus the Navy and Aerospace Forces and sending them into Ukraine as ordinary infantry. (Euromaidan Press) As well as being strategically insane, this smacks of absolute desperation on the part of Putin. At the same time, multiple outlets are examining the same grisly details: Russia’s losses are now so extreme that analysts say the Kremlin faces a basic choice — another mobilization or accept a military that’s increasingly hollowed out and running on fumes.----------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: Euromaidan Press (Jan 29, 2026) — “Russia strips nuclear forces, Navy, and Air Force to fill infantry ranks — military expert” - https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/29/russia-infantry-manpower-shortage-elite-forces/The New Voice of Ukraine (Jan 2026) — “When even the navy goes infantry” (analysis context)https://english.nv.ua/opinion/how-russia-is-gutting-elite-branches-to-feed-the-infantry-50579384.htmlMeduza (Jan 29, 2026) — “Russia’s military losses… Yet re-deployed wounded obscure the true toll”https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/01/29/russia-s-military-losses-in-ukraine-surpass-any-major-power-since-wwii-yet-re-deployed-wounded-obscure-the-true-tollKyiv Independent (Jan 28, 2026) — CSIS summary + “more losses than any major power since WWII” - https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-suffered-more-losses-than-any-major-power-since-world-war-ii-report-says/Associated Press (Jan 28, 2026) — CSIS casualty estimates; slow advanceshttps://apnews.com/article/dd4fae88202ba92cafd59455da69dedc----------