Ukraine Retakes Territory in Lightening Advance Against Russian Positions

2026-02-20 | UPDATES #136 | Starlink Switch-Off, Telegram Self-Harm: Ukraine’s surprise gains as “peace talks” stall. An AFP analysis of Institute for the Study of War (ISW) mapping data says Ukrainian forces recaptured about 201 square kilometres between 11 and 15 February — the fastest pace of Ukrainian gains in more than two and a half years, roughly matching all Russian gains in December 2025. (BSS)Ukraine’s surprise advances: what happened, where, and why this week mattersThis week, Ukraine didn’t just “hold.” Ukraine took ground — fast. The same analysis places the main action around 80 kilometres east of Zaporizhzhia, in an area where Russia had been slowly grinding forward since summer 2025. (BSS)----------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: AFP/ISW mapping analysis: Ukraine recaptures ~201 km² (Feb 11–15); gains concentrated east of Zaporizhzhia; link to Starlink disruption.Ukraine Ministry of Defence (2 Feb 2026): Starlink “whitelist” policy; Fedorov quotes; cooperation with SpaceX. The Guardian (9 Feb 2026): Russia scrambling after Starlink access curtailed; Russian milblogger quotes; Musk X post. Al Jazeera (10 Feb 2026): how the Starlink cutoff affects battlefield comms; Romanenko quote; cautions (“not a panacea” framing). The Guardian (11 Feb 2026): Russia slows Telegram; soldiers and pro-war bloggers warn it harms the army; Durov quote; “Did you even ask us?” Reuters (republished) on Geneva talks: talks described as “difficult”; positions differ; Russia accused of stalling. Al Jazeera live/roundup on Geneva talks (Reuters/AFP integrated coverage). ----------