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Hello from Romania,

As we mark the fourth week of war in Ukraine, I want to update our readers on what has been happening with our teams in the region.

In the weeks leading up to the war, OCCRP editors worked with security experts to identify strategies and equipment to protect our people on the ground. Before Russian troops crossed the border, our Ukraine-based staff had military grade body armor, satellite phones, solar and gas powered generators, and other tools needed to survive water, power, and internet outages. They received war zone and emergency first aid training.

We transferred 75 body armor sets capable of protecting journalists from high power sniper attacks into Ukraine. These vests are level IV, the highest grade of body armor and the only type that can stop high-speed 7.62 mm bullets from Kalashnikovs, the Russian military’s gun of choice. We’re now offering similar equipment and training for reporters in surrounding countries.

Body armor sets for our journalists in Ukraine, including ceramic-plated level IV vests, the highest grade of body armor.

Our network of investigative journalists sprang into action once Russia invaded. Reporters in our network from the surrounding countries of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova picked up Ukrainian journalists and their families from the border areas and provided accommodations and logistical and legal support, and helped them continue their reporting.

Journalists slept in their cars while waiting for their colleagues to reach the border, took them shopping for clothes and other essentials, and brought along playmates to befriend their children. It has been profoundly moving to witness.

We are monitoring the war and pivoting as necessary. I was at the border a few weeks ago and immediately saw how organized crime is taking advantage of this horrible situation, preying on people in a number of ways, including human trafficking and financial scams. We are improving our coverage on this to keep the public informed. Since Russia is becoming more and more isolated by the day, its government will most certainly be ramping up associations with organized crime to avoid the myriad of sanctions, which we will also be tracking.

As Central Europe Editor Pavla Holcová said on February 24 after Russia invaded Ukraine, “Don’t cry. Don’t pray. Work.” And that’s what we’ve been doing, further investigating the criminal networks and illicit wealth of people in and around the Kremlin regime who started this war.

I hope you saw our “Russian Asset Tracker ([link removed]) ” released earlier this week, a project that catalogs the vast wealth held outside Russia by oligarchs and key figures close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Join us for a webinar April 1 at 11 a.m. EDT/4 p.m. BST to learn more about how we investigated the hidden assets of Kremlin allies.
Donate any amount to become an OCCRP Accomplice and join the discussion.
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Thank you for your support.

Paul Radu
Co-Founder and Chief of Innovation

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