Greetings from Sarajevo, 

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches the six-month mark, our partners from both countries have spent countless hours covering the horrors of war.

In June, for example, our Ukrainian partner Slidstvo.Info reported on the refugees who were forced to pass through “filtration camps” and unwillingly sent to Russia.

This week, we have a new bombshell investigation from an occupied Ukrainian village. Our Russian partner Important Stories (IStories) identified multiple Russian soldiers who looted, destroyed property, and killed civilians in Andriivka, about an hour outside Kyiv. 

When a reporter contacted the soldiers for comment, one confessed to everything on camera — even providing the names of the commanders who he said had ordered him to commit war crimes.

It would be immensely helpful if you could share the video with your networks. You can also read our English version of the story here.

PANDORA PAPERS NEWS

🇨🇿 Former Czech PM Under Investigation 🇫🇷 French prosecutors are investigating former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš on suspicion of money laundering related to luxury properties that he secretly acquired in 2009 through a network of shell companies.

Here is OCCRP and Investigace.cz’s Pandora Papers story that appears to have triggered the French probe. 

THE OCCRP NETWORK

🇲🇰 IRL Macedonia: This documentary has sent shockwaves not only in North Macedonia, but throughout the Balkans. Our member center exposed how a prestigious doctor allegedly administered unapproved blood filtration treatments to Covid patients, making millions of dollars in the process. 

🇧🇬 Bivol.Bg and Fundacja Reporterow 🇵🇱 In a joint investigation, our Bulgarian and Polish member centers uncovered that Bulgaria, a country divided when it comes to isolating Russia, has quietly tried to send damaged missiles to Ukraine’s armed forces via Poland and Romania.

🇺🇦 Slidstvo.Info: Our Ukrainian member center launched an interactive database of Russian soldiers they identified as part of the invading force. 

🇦🇿 MeydanTV: Our Azeri member center reports that human rights defender Anar Mammadli was summoned by the State Security Service to give testimony about how he was targeted with Pegasus, military-grade spyware developed by NSO Group.

OCCRP EVENTS

IPI Congress: Members of the OCCRP network will speak on two panels at this year’s International Press Institute World Congress. 

OCCRP Ukraine Editor Anna Babinets and Rinat Tuhvatshin, the co-founder of our Kyrgyzstani member center Kloop, will talk about new methods of reporting.

Roman Anin, the editor in chief of our Russian partner IStories, will join a panel on “Life on the Press Freedom Frontline.”

Both discussions will take place on September 9, 2022, at Columbia University in New York City. 

DOUBLE EXPOSURE: OCCRP is partnering with the United States' first and only festival dedicated to the intersection between investigative journalism and documentary filmmaking. 

Attend online or in person in Washington, D.C. October 13-16.  Use the code OCCRP10 to save 10 percent on tickets here.