Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Russian tanks and artillery don't use the Google Play Store. You're witnessing a mechanized land war in Ukraine, Silicon Valley won't solve this one.



> Russian tanks and artillery don't use the Google Play Store.

But the wives and children of those who move them do. People in the West don't seem to notice a crucial aspect of modern Russia: extended families of those in charge live in the West. They study in Stanford and Harvard, mingle in Aspen, have holiday homes in the Hamptons. Russia is merely a piggy bank to finance that lifestyle. They are at the mercy of Western governments, because they've turned Russia into a stagnating shithole that even at its best is far below the upper-middle class standard in the West. Without access to Western resources, from mansions in Knightsbridge to accounts on Instagram, all that looted money becomes worthless.

All you need to do is let them sleep in the bed they've made. Freeze bank accounts, confiscate property, deny visas. Make them live that global jet-set lifestyle in Rostov oblast.


Many people in Russia know how to root their android phone or has a relative\friend who knows.

Also this will mostly affect relatively poor people who will just carry on with their factory jobs or whatever. They will just use landline.


You don’t need to kill people to incentivize them.


They may not use the Play Store, but they do use Android apps: https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/danger-close-fancy-bear-tra...


It’s all information our days though.


Solve? No. But what is stopping them from getting a few kicks in?




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: