An investigation by The Telegraph found out that, over the past years, Russia smuggled hundreds of tonnes of illicit gold from Sudan. This illegal trade was part of Russian efforts to prepare for sanctions amidst plans to invade Ukraine. The Telegraph – 03 March 2022 – Original article The gold reserve of the Russian Central…
Tearline Project – 16th December 2021 Original Report Russian Mining in the Central African Republic re causing significant environmental degradation. These mines are not directly owned by the Russian government, but are instead owned by the Russian mining company Lobaye Invest Sarlu (Lobaye Invest). Lobaye Invest is owned by subsidiaries of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a prominent…
Former Ukrainian intelligence officers spent seven years compiling a database of Russia’s notorious mercenaries. We found the parents, siblings and widows of those killed in battle New Lines Magazine – Michael Weisse, Holger Roonemaa, Mattias Carlsson, Liliana Botnariuc, Pierre Vaux – December 19th, 2021 Original Article “If you’d have come here to tell me that…
November 17, 2021 Belarus Ukraine Original article On 29 July 2020, Belarusian state media announced that the country’s security services had arrested 33 fighters from the Wagner private military contractor. These men were, according to the report, part of a group of more than 200 fighters present in Belarus to destabilise the country in the…
The private military company (PMC) Wagner Group has secretly woven its web in Africa. The mercenaries have gained influence with opaque dealings, gradually increasing the areas in which the group is operating. The Wagner Group is an informal network of companies revolving around private security, but also involved in mining, communication, propaganda, diplomacy, technologies and…
August 20, 2020 original article In our previous article from this investigation series, we described the origins and the state-run nature of Russia’s shadow military units, known collectively under the name “Wagner PMC” (private military company). We also identified the close collaboration between Yevgeny Prigozhin and the highest echelons at the Kremlin, the Ministry of…
Prigozhin is a puzzling figure. Although he started with a professional background in catering in the Russian market, he was able to plunge deep into African affairs, across a large array of industries, plundering all kind of natural resources, muzzling governments and overtaking competitors. The Moscow Times – June 5, 2018 – Original Article His…
