10 key investigations by Russian independent media in 2022

IStories: How Putin Decided to Go to War

This article by Roman Anin, prominent investigative reporter and founder of IStories, analyses how Putin made the decision to start the war in Ukraine and why no one was able to stop him.

Some main points outlined in the article:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

The Project: Some fight to the last ditch while others get rich

The Project, an investigative outlet led by journalist Roman Badanin, published a guide to the Ukraine war, naming the Russian military units involved in hostilities and identifying over 160 people, from top defence ministry officers to brigade and regiment commanders. At least 20 commanders identified by The Project had died as of mid-May.

Main points:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

Mediazona: Mapping the looting

Based on the photo and video evidence leaked online of Russian soldiers sending used household equipment to their hometowns, Mediazona published one of its key investigations of the year, proving that Russian soldiers were likely stealing not only from Ukrainians on occupied territories, but from their own army, too.

Here’s what Mediazona found out:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

IStories: Eight Pskov paratroopers in Bucha

Even before the New York Times investigation into the Russian paratrooper unit that killed dozens of people in Ukraine’s Bucha, IStories found eight soldiers from Russia’s Pskov who may have been behind the shooting of civilians in this Ukrainian town.

Here’s what IStories managed to uncover:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

The Project: Unnatural Numbers

The Project investigates how Kremlin-backed sociologists manipulate public opinion in Russia when it comes to Putin and the war in Ukraine. The investigation proves with concrete examples that most polls published in Russia simply cannot be trusted.

Here’s some of what the investigation tackles:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

Novaya Gazeta Europe: To war or to prison?

Back during the period of “hidden mobilisation” in Russia by private war companies and volunteer battalions, Novaya Gazeta Europe discovered 48 regional battalions, each with a unique name, and 11 other groups that were openly recruiting volunteer fighters. Novaya-Europe reporters contacted volunteer fighters and responded to the advertisements to find out more about how this process is organised.

Here’s what Novaya-Europe found out:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

The Insider: Kadyrov’s Tik-Tok warriors

An investigation by The Insider into the battalions of Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Russia’s Chechnya.

Here’s what the article covers:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

Novaya Gazeta Europe: Terror trouble and colonels

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office recorded three times as many terrorism crimes in the past six months alone than in 2012. Novaya Gazeta Europe researched several hundred FSB reports on terrorist attacks Russia’s secret service claims to have prevented in the last decade.

Main points:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

Mediazona: Russian casualties in Ukraine

Together with BBC Russian, Mediazona has been keeping track of Russian casualties since the early days of the war in Ukraine. In April, it published one of the first data investigations tackling this topic.

Here’s what Mediazona has managed to uncover so far:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]

The Insider: Compatriotism

The Insider has published a series of articles on how the Kremlin is spreading its influence abroad by using “compatriots” loyal to the Russian government. The latest article in the series covers Germany.

Main points:

• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]
• •[object Object]