Georgia:

Day 467 of #GeorgiaProtests

1. Further isolation of the regime, a Russian proxy and sanctions evasion enabler, pro-Iran, pro-CCP;
2. Further targeted sanctions;
3. Aid to CSOs and independent media;
4. International investigation into chemicals use against protesters;

📷 MOSE

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM

Two more Georgian protesters were sentenced to 4 days in jail for peacefully standing on the sidewalk. One, Zviad Mzhavanadze, posted this video of his “crime.” Prosecutors say he blocked pedestrians and forced them onto the road. In the video, Zviad (circled left) is nowhere near them.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 2:48 AM

Georgian students and other protesters have gathered in front of Ilia State University, protesting Georgian Dream’s education reforms that undermine university autonomy, cancel strong academic programs, and particularly target Ilia—the only openly critical state university.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 10:04 AM

Today’s protest has reached Tbilisi State University. Students are protesting Georgian Dream’s unconstitutional interference in university autonomy. The reforms dictate which universities may teach which subjects and strip institutions of key academic programs.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 11:02 AM

After four hours of marching, Georgian students have reached the Ministry of Education in Tbilisi. They are demanding university autonomy.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 12:38 PM

Holland:

“Russian state hackers are engaged in a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants,” per the Dutch intelligence and security services MIVD and AIVD.

english.aivd.nl/latest/news/…

[image or embed]

— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) March 9, 2026 at 8:53 AM

From the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Services:

Russian state hackers are engaged in a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants. The Dutch intelligence and security services MIVD and AIVD can confirm that targets and victims of the campaign include Dutch government employees. The Dutch services also believe that other persons of interest to the Russian government, such as journalists, may possibly be targeted by this campaign.

The Russian campaign is focused on persuading users to divulge their security verification- and pincodes, allowing the hackers to gain access to the users’ Signal or WhatsApp accounts. The most frequently observed method used by the Russian hackers is to masquerade as a Signal Support chatbot in order to induce their targets to divulge their codes. The hackers can then use these codes to take over the user’s account. Another method used by the Russian actors takes advantage of the ‘linked devices’ function within Signal and WhatsApp.

Once an account has been successfully compromised, the hackers can read incoming messages, including messages in the victim’s chat groups. The Russian hackers likely gained access to sensitive information through this campaign.

End-to-end encryption
In the opinion of the Dutch services, Russia’s keen interest in Signal can be attributed to the good reputation of the app. Signal is renowned as a reliable and independent communication channel which offers end-to-end encryption. This makes it an attractive channel for use within governments wishing to protect their internal communication. It also makes it the ideal place for malicious actors to try to capture sensitive information.

“Despite their end-to-end encryption option, messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp should not be used as channels for classified, confidential or sensitive information,” states Director of the MIVD, vice-admiral Peter Reesink.

Individual accounts
An interesting aspect of this Russian campaign is that it does not exploit any technical vulnerabilities of the messaging services. The attackers instead make malicious use of legitimate security features of the apps. Director-General of the AIVD Simone Smit states, “It is not the case that Signal or WhatsApp as a whole have been compromised. Individual user accounts are being targeted.”

To increase resilience against this Russian campaign, MIVD and AIVD have published a Cyber Advisory explaining how to identify and respond to attacks. The advisory also give instructions for Signal users on how to identify potentially compromised contacts.

All Signal users can personally check whether there are any potentially compromised contacts in their group chats. If you see any people who appear twice in the list of members (under the same or a slightly different name), this may be evidence of either a compromised account or a new account created by a victim.

If you suspect this to be the case, report this to the information security department of your organisation. Together you can try to verify (preferably using a channel other than Signal or WhatsApp, such as an email or a telephone call) whether it is correct that the account in question appears twice in the chat group contact list. Should this not be the case, ask the group administrator to remove both accounts from the group chat, after which the legitimate account holder can request to rejoin the group.

Please remain vigilant for group members who are not recognised by the rest of the group. The actor may occasionally change the display name of a compromised account to remain unnoticed in chat groups, for example to names such as ‘Deleted account’. If a member’s display name changes, the group will receive a notification. When the change is the legitimate transition to ‘Deleted account’, no notification is sent.

Actor-controlled accounts can also gain entry to the group via an obtained Group Link, of which the group always receives a notification. In all such unauthorised scenarios, ask the group administrator to remove the offending accounts from the chat.

If there is any indication that the group administrator themselves may have been compromised, it is advisable to exit the group and create a new one.

The Netherlands commits €3 billion a year to Ukraine, the new government government, locking in long-term predictable support.

Thank you, dear Dutch people — that’s particularly appreciated in these dark days 🇳🇱

[image or embed]

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:45 AM

“The new government announced” :)

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:51 AM

The Paralympics:

At the Paralympics, the Russian anthem was played for the first time since 2014. This happened after Russian alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina won gold, the first for Russians.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM

Slovakia:

As Orban’s election loss in Hungary looms, Putin is swapping in Fico as his new favourite EU puppet.

Fico declared he will block the €90B EU loan to Ukraine if Orban loses, and “take up the baton from Hungary”.

Putin’s decades-long investment in Fico seems to be paying off.

[image or embed]

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:26 AM

Hungary:

Ukraine’s MFA said Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards detained March 5 near Budapest were held in handcuffs for 28 hours and transported blindfolded. The operation involved a Hungarian counter-terrorism unit with an APC, machine guns, and grenade launchers, although the Ukrainians were unarmed.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM

The detainees were not allowed to contact their families, a consul, or a lawyer. Their phones and belongings were confiscated. They were subjected to psychological and physical pressure, and one guard with a disability received medical help only after losing consciousness.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM

On March 9, the Ambassador of Hungary to Ukraine, Antal Heizer, was summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and was issued a strong protest over what Ukraine described as serious violations of Hungary’s international legal obligations.
mfa.gov.ua/news/shchodo…

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM

🇺🇦👀🇭🇺

[image or embed]

— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:29 PM

From Politico Europe:

Hungary’s ruling party on Monday introduced a bill aimed at cementing last week’s controversial seizure of millions of euros worth of Ukrainian state bank cash and gold.

The measure would allow authorities to freeze the assets while a national security investigation unfolds.

The proposal, introduced by Fidesz parliamentary leader Máté Kocsis, would treat the €35 million, $40 million and 9 kilograms of gold seized from vehicles linked to Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank as confiscated property until Hungary’s tax and customs authority concludes its probe.

According to Hungarian outlet Telex, lawmakers plan to debate the legislation under an unusual fast-track procedure after the parliament’s national security committee met Monday.

Hungarian authorities say they are examining whether the convoy — stopped while transiting the country last week — posed national security risks. They are also investigating the origin and intended use of the money.

Hungarian officials insist key questions about the convoy remain unresolved. Fidesz parliamentary leader Kocsis described the episode as a “scandalous Ukrainian gold convoy” and said investigators are examining whether the transport of such large quantities of cash and bullion could pose security risks to Hungary.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, slammed the move on X, accusing Budapest of trying to retroactively legitimize an illegal seizure. “Hungary is falling down a spiral of lawlessness,” Sybiha wrote, calling the bill “a de facto recognition that Hungary’s actions lack any legal grounds.”

The clash is the latest flare-up in a long-running feud between Kyiv and Budapest. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly butted heads with Ukraine over energy flows through the Druzhba pipeline, opposed Kyiv’s bid to join the European Union and blocked major EU financial support packages — including a €90 billion lifeline intended to keep Ukraine’s government functioning during the country’s war with Russia.

According to recently released Ukrainian POW’s, Hungary is now working with Russia, offering Ukrainians in captivity a chance to be released if they agree to take part in propaganda statements.

[image or embed]

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

Prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Zakarpattia (region of Ukraine that borders Hungary) are being handed over to Hungary on the condition of recording propaganda videos.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

This was reported by the released prisoner of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Chorpita for the project BreakTheFake, implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Center for Strategic Communications.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

“In 2023, in Gorlovka, in the prison where I was then held as a prisoner of war, a revealing incident occurred. I was offered to participate in an exchange, but to go to Hungary. I myself am from Zakarpattia.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

However, the condition of participation in the exchange was that I had to record a video in which I would speak negatively about the Ukrainian authorities and at the same time positively about Russia, the conditions of detention and the prison regime.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

I refused to do this, and therefore did not get to the exchange. Fortunately, in 2025, I was nevertheless released from captivity, and I am now undergoing treatment in Ukraine, – said Chorpita.”

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

“In most cases, they are an element of Russian propaganda, created under pressure or coercion. That is why the publication of such videos in the media of other countries actually means the spread of Russian propaganda and, in fact, support for its aggression” – emphasized Oleksiy.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

This week, Russia handed over to Hungary two prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who were in captivity. After their arrival in Budapest, the Hungarian TV channel published a video in which the military thanked their Russian captors for their survival.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) March 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM

These are war crimes.

Back to Ukraine.

Days after Hungary hijacked a Ukrainian Oschadbank delivery, detaining the security team and seizing 10s of millions of dollars worth of cash and gold, the bank has come under a massive hacker attack that has forced the bank to shut down its servers, halting online operations.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:03 AM

A representative of Fire Point says work is underway to increase the warhead capacity of the FP-1 to 105 kg at a range of 1,000 km, and the FP-2 to 158 kg, thanks to a new wing-integrated fuel tank design.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:43 AM

Drone operators from the the Birds of Magyar, struck several Russian targets on the night of March 8, 2026.

Targets included a 64N6 Big Bird radar in Crimea, a Buk-M2 launcher-loader vehicle (9A316) in Donetsk region, and a temporary deployment site of the Russian Rubikon unit.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:55 AM

“Ready to surrender. No strength left, haven’t eaten for 3 weeks. We need food and communication.” – Russians on the Lyman direction are asking Ukrainian soldiers to take them prisoner because they are starving.
www.facebook.com/66ombr

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM

Operators of the “Steel Horsemen” battalion of the 66th Mechanized Brigade say Russian forces in this sector have long had major logistical problems. Last year, due to lack of evacuation, the death rate in the Russian army exceeded 55%, and this winter it has surpassed 65%.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM

Kharkiv:

2:30 AM local time/*;30 PM EDT:

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ our city is under russian drone attack right now ‼️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:33 PM

Kharkiv is still mourning the victims of a russian drone strike that killed 11 people just two days ago.

Tonight the city was attacked again. At least six people are reported injured so far, including children.

[image or embed]

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM

This evening in Kharkiv a fire broke out following a russian drone attack, leaving several people injured.

The enemy struck a residential area. As a result of the shelling, two cars caught fire and windows were shattered in an apartment building.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM

Preliminary reports indicate that four people were injured, including one child.

Emergency Service units quickly extinguished the fire.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM

In Kharkiv, search and rescue operations have been completed at the residential building struck by a Russian missile on Saturday.

The work lasted for more than two days, as rescuers dismantled heavy concrete structures piece by piece. In total, over 2,400 cubic meters of debris were removed.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM

This was a deliberate strike, carried out in the middle of the night while dozens of families in the five‑story building were asleep.

Tragically, 10 people were killed, including two children: a 7‑year‑old boy and a 13‑year‑old girl. Fragments of other bodies were also recovered,

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM

and identification is still ongoing.

At least 16 people were injured in the attack, among them three children. Search dogs and their handlers will continue working even after the official end of the rescue operation, as four people remain missing.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM

This is an apartment building in Kharkiv, destroyed by a russian strike on March 7.

​If you zoom in, you can still see the remaining fragments of people’s homes and lives: a kitchen stove, a chair, a washing machine… just normal homes. In a single moment, russia stole the lives of 10 people.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM

Two children died alongside their mothers. Four people remain missing.

​Their only “crime” was being Ukrainians in their own homes; for this, russia killed them.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM

Mariupol:

On Mar 9, 2022, russian invaders targeted the maternity ward in Mariupol city center, killing and injuring pregnant women and children there.

One of them was Iryna Kalinina. Her son Myron was born dead, and she died half an hour afterwards.

We owe justice to russia’s victims.

📸 Evheniy Maloletka

[image or embed]

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces carried out precision strikes on Russian radar and command infrastructure.

Four radar systems were hit in occupied Crimea: 5N84A Oborona-14, Nebo-U, and two radar systems under radomes in Yevpatoria.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 6:24 AM

This appears to be the first time the Ukrainian Navy has employed FP-2 strike drones:
• In Novoozerne, FP-2 struck a BK-16 landing craft.
• FP-2 strikes also hit infrastructure at Kirovske Air Base, destroying a storage site for Orion drones and four control stations.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 8:59 AM

Part of Sevastopol was left without electricity due to an accident at a 110 kV substation. There are also reports of a strike in Donetsk.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.

Here is some adjacent material.

There is an informal shelter in Dnipro, Ukraine called “Fluffy Hugs”, which cares for displaced pets evacuated from the front lines. Olha from the Hachiko team delivered food to support the 70 cats and 50 dogs currently living there. We will keep helping! 🐶

[image or embed]

— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) March 7, 2026 at 9:01 AM

Open thread!