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2026-01-02 | UPDATES #087 | The New Year Address That Spawned a 1,000 Memes. Did Russian state media present an AI generated Putin? Is the real Putin glitching? Here a bit of random speculation about the long-awaited decline and fall of the tyrant in the Kremlin. Here’s hoping the moment approaches. Russia entered 2026 with the same offer it’s been sold for years now: a patriotic hymn to sacrifice… warfare and existential threats of the extinction of Russian civilisation, unless people are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. So, the same old song as last year.On December 31, 2025, Vladimir Putin delivered his annual New Year address — short, conventional in structure, and unmistakable in intent: normalize the war, sanctify the war, and keep the war going. Reuters reported he voiced confidence in eventual victory, praising unity and the “heroism” of those fighting — dressed in black, speaking solemnly. (Reuters) But it was hardly inspiring, hardly original, lacked energy and offered no real hopes for the future. ----------SOURCES: Reuters (Dec 31, 2025): Putin’s New Year address, confidence in victory The Moscow Times (Dec 31, 2025): Address rallying Russians around war; key quotes The Kyiv Independent (Jan 1, 2026): No mention of peace; transcript excerpts; “normalizing” war narrative InformNapalm Telegram (Jan 1, 2026): Claim of two versions (black tie / red tie), provider interruption timing Focus.ua (Jan 1, 2026): Summary of incident, Ufanet explanation, circulation claims, possible cyberattack angle TSN (Jan 1, 2026): Summary of social media “AI” arguments (movement, sleeves, midnight timing) Glavred (Jan 1, 2026): Additional roundup of the rumor and claimed “visual tells” (Главред)Spectator Australia (Jan 1–2, 2026): Sarcastic “LLM-generated” framing of the speech’s blandnessTelegraf (Jan 1, 2026): Asking AI (Grok) about likelihood; notes uncertainty (Телеграф)MosRegToday / cited interview coverage (Jan 2, 2026): Puchkov (“Goblin”) dismisses AI rumor as normal editing ([Подмосковье Сегодня)----------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 ----------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----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------