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Bellingcat

@bellingcat.com
275K followers 194 following 4.3K posts

Bellingcat is a global collective uncovering facts to hold power to account. Our work is independent. Our methods are public. Our community is global. Want to support our charity? bellingcat.com/donate

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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 22h
It's the final week to help shape our next community-curated merch. Got a design idea? Send it our way. Not an artist? No problem. We’re also looking for tagline ideas for T-shirts, bags and hats. What makes you think of Bellingcat? Tell us by Friday: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Various bellingcat merch design mockups. Reads: We Want You To Design Our Merch
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 29/09/2026
Can you work out where a photo was taken — and when? Learn methods for geolocation, satellite imagery analysis and chronolocation techniques with Bellingcat experts. 14–16 October 2026. Find the webinar details here: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/in...
Learn our methods... Uncover the █████.Learn to use shadows and background details to date, time and locate a photograph
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 28/09/2026
How is AI changing investigations? On Thursday, investigative journalist @craigsilverman.bsky.social will share how he’s using AI, including in his investigation of a North Korean hiring scam. We’ll explore what AI can uncover and where it falls short. Join us live: discordapp.com/events/70975...
Reads: Using AI in Investigations-
To Uncover a North Korean Hiring Scam with Craig Silverman, 
Bellingcat Stage Talk
Thursday 10/1
5pm CEST/11am EDT
Discord.com/invite/bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 28/09/2026
What does a resilient information society look like? Last week we ran the 'TRUST conference with the European Trust Alliance. Working with technologists, legal scholars, civil society advocates and journalists we discussed the complex challenges facing European digital autonomy.
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A Q&A I did recently with Ashoka and Forbes - Why Bellingcat Wants Everyone To Become An Investigator www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka...
forbes.com
Why Bellingcat Wants Everyone To Become An Investigator
The founder of one of the world's best-known open-source investigation outfits on building it from a laptop, why anyone can do this work, and why democracies have misread the problem.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 25/09/2026
In a new investigation Bellingcat and @jeuneafrique.com reconstruct and analyse more than a dozen Malian military drone strikes, that have repeatedly hit civilian areas and reportedly resulted in the deaths of non-combatants.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 24/09/2026
Today we're celebrating the two year anniversary of Bellingcat's Online Open Source Investigation Toolkit. The resource that helps you discover and use open source tools is maintained by a group of amazing volunteers. If you've not explored it yet, you can find it here: bellingcat.gitbook.io/toolkit
The Bellingcat Online Open Source Investigation Toolkit Turns 2!
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 23/09/2026
How do you trace organised crime through open sources? Learn practical OSINT techniques for investigating illicit networks, corporate structures, vessels and aircraft, with real Bellingcat case studies. 12–13 October 2026. www.bellingcat.com/workshops/tr...
Learn our methods... Uncover the █████. bellingcat.com/workshopsLearn to trace illicit networks and dig into corporate structures
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 22/09/2026
A UN fact-finding mission has claimed that a Feb. 28 missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Iran, that killed more than 150 people likely constitutes a war crime. Bellingcat was the first to identify the weapon that hit the school as a US Tomahawk missile.
youtube.com
Video Analysis Shows Two Waves of Bombings in Iran Elementary School Strike
YouTube video by Bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 21/09/2026
You still have time to design Bellingcat's first official merch line. We are launching an Audience Co-Created Capsule alongside our core brand merchandise. You have two weeks to pitch your ideas before we take a shortlist to public vote. Find the details here: www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
bellingcat.com
Bellingcat Official Merch Design Contest - bellingcat
Bellingcat is finally launching an official merch line! That’s right: after years of fantasizing and wishing, we’re finally ready to get our name and logo on cool merch that you’ll be able to show off...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 19/09/2026
Latest: Christy Kinahan, founder of the transnational organised crime group the Kinahan cartel, has had his UAE visa cancelled, Bellingcat and @thetimes.com can reveal. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/09...
bellingcat.com
Christy Kinahan's UAE Residence Visa Cancelled - bellingcat
Irish crime boss Christy Kinahan, who is being pursued by authorities around the world, has had his UAE residence permit cancelled.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 18/09/2026
The lengthy wait for public records can be worth it. In our latest Stage Talk episode, @oldpete45.bsky.social discusses how filing public record requests fuelled his investigation into a 90s cold-case murder. Listen back by searching 'Stage Talks with Bellingcat': rss.com/podcasts/bel...
rss.com
"Finding Missing Records: Looking Into The Case of An Unnamed Victim"- with Bellingcat's Peter Barth | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
This week Bellingcat's Peter Barth joined us to go behind the scenes of his latest investigation into a cold case murder. This talk specifically dove into his methodology for public record requests an...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 18/09/2026
Bellingcat researcher @sebkilli.bsky.social spoke to @theworld.org about our recent investigation into government drone strikes frequently hitting populated areas in Mali. theworld.org/segments/202...
theworld.org
New Bellingcat investigation sheds light on civilian deaths in Mali’s drone war - The World from PRX
The military junta in Mali has increasingly relied on drones to fight against separatists and an al-Qaida-backed insurgency. While state-run media have hailed these “surgical strikes” on “terrorists,”...
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I joined Ashoka earlier today to talk about the work of Bellingcat, including our investigations, work with universities, and the complex issues facing democracies in our modern information environment www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_v_...
youtube.com
The Citizen Investigators
YouTube video by Ashoka
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 17/09/2026
Who actually holds the records? Today, Bellingcat’s Peter Barth takes us behind the scenes of a 30 year old cold case investigation, exploring how FOIAs, public records and a maze of agencies helped uncover new clues. Join us live at 5pm CEST/11am EDT: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
discord.gg
Join the Bellingcat Discord Server!
Come hang out with open source research enthusiasts, share knowledge and experiences, and learn lots! | 43802 members
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 16/09/2026
A joint Bellingcat and @jeuneafrique.com investigation has uncovered new details about drone strikes carried out by the Malian military that have hit civilian areas and reportedly resulted in the deaths of non-combatants. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/09...
bellingcat.com
“A Recurring Pattern”: Civilians Paying the Price in Mali’s Drone Campaign - bellingcat
Evidence collected by Bellingcat and Jeune Afrique contradicts Mali's claim that drone strikes are precise and only target terrorists.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 15/09/2026
What does an OSINT investigation look like when the internet doesn’t appear to have the answer? @oldpete45.bsky.social shares how FOIAs helped identify a cold case victim after three decades and what it takes to navigate the maze of public records. Join us on Thursday: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Finding Missing Records: Looking Into The Case Of An Unnamed Victim. Bellingcat Stage Talk , Thursday 9/17 5pm CEST/11am EDT discord.com/invite/bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 14/09/2026
For over a decade, we've geolocated airstrikes, tracked state actors, and followed data leads. Now, we want you to help design the gear we wear to do it. We're launching our first-ever Audience Co-Created Merch Capsule! www.bellingcat.com/uncategorize...
bellingcat.com
Bellingcat Official Merch Design Contest - bellingcat
Bellingcat is finally launching an official merch line! That’s right: after years of fantasizing and wishing, we’re finally ready to get our name and logo on cool merch that you’ll be able to show off...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 14/09/2026
You don’t need to be a programmer to use code as an investigative tool. Bellingcat’s upcoming webinar will help researchers get started with the command line and AI coding assistants, using them for research, data analysis, visualisation and automation. www.bellingcat.com/workshops/co...
Learn our methods... Uncover the █████. bellingcat.com/workshopsLearn to use AI research assistants and command line tools
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 11/09/2026
It’s harvest season in Ukraine, but in the first two weeks of August, Ukrainian grain exports were down 75% from the same period last year. Russia’s military blockade has effectively cut off Ukrainian ports from the Black Sea.🧵
Reads What Routes Does Ukraine's Grain Trade Have Left. Pictured grain being harvested.
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Contributed some thoughts to this piece - The Future of Visual Investigations, If We Can’t Trust Our Eyes www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
cjr.org
The future of visual investigations, if we can’t trust our eyes.
Journalists and other experts tell us how, in the age of AI, technology is transforming the work of visual forensics. “We might have to be a little bit more imaginative,” Emily Tripp, of Airwars, says...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 10/09/2026
Open source research methods are often seen associated with conflict reporting, but these methods can also be applied to environmental journalism. Find out how we uncovered the identify of a wildlife trafficker that was selling protected species on Facebook: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/06...
bellingcat.com
Rhino Horn, Leopard Skin and Tiger Claws Sold Openly on Facebook - bellingcat
Bellingcat uncovers a Myanmar wildlife trafficker linked to endangered species sales, prompting account removals by Meta, WeChat, TikTok and YouTube.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 09/09/2026
Join us for a two-day advanced training on satellite and geospatial data. You’ll work with optical, SAR, multispectral and hyperspectral imagery, learning to use it for monitoring environmental disasters, maritime activity and military movements. Register: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/ad...
Learn our methods... Uncover the █████. bellingcat.com/workshopsReads: Learn advanced satellite analysis
Pictured Bellingcat logo, satellite graphic, world graphic
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 08/09/2026
How do you map a hate network? In our latest Stage Talk, Bellingcat researchers @colborne.bsky.social and @poojachaudhuri.bsky.social share tips for using open-source clues to investigate the reach of hate group networks. Search for 'Stage Talks with Bellingcat': rss.com/podcasts/bel...
rss.com
"Mapping Hate Networks Across Borders" with Bellingcat | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
This week Bellingcat's Michael Colborne and Pooja Chaudhuri joined us to share their experience of using network analysis techniques to study transnational hate groups. We spent the hour discussing us...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 07/09/2026
September has begun, which means a new batch of Bellingcat challenges is ready for you to try. This month, we’re taking a new angle, with our researcher @godin.bsky.social testing your ability to interpret imagery captured from orbit. Take on the challenges here: challenge.bellingcat.com
bellingcat open source challenge
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 07/09/2026
Have you read how Bellingcat's @oldpete45.bsky.social used public records to uncover clues in a cold case murder? It is a tale of gang violence, immigration and hidden identities. Read the investigation below ⬇️ www.bellingcat.com/news/us-cana...
bellingcat.com
Investigating a Murder: Public Records Uncover New Clues in Chinatown Cold Case - bellingcat
On a June night in 1996, in a basement apartment in Boston’s Chinatown, a killer put a pistol to the back of a young man's head and pulled the trigger.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 03/09/2026
This week's Bellingcat Stage Talk is starting in 30 minutes. Join us here: discord.com/invite/belli...
discord.com
Join the Bellingcat Discord Server!
Come hang out with open source research enthusiasts, share knowledge and experiences, and learn lots! | 43791 members
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 03/09/2026
Bellingcat is thrilled to announce that we're a finalist in five categories at the Online Journalism Awards this year. We’re incredibly proud of this work — produced by our team and alongside some brilliant partner organisations.🧵 awards.journalists.org/winners/2026/
awards.journalists.org
2026 Online Journalism Awards Winners
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 03/09/2026
Bellingcat researcher @foeke.bsky.social spoke on the Dutch talkshow ‘RENZE’ yesterday about his analysis of the authenticity of a video of armed men threatening 'Jan G'. The video surfaced following an armed attack in Overasselt reportedly linked to drug trafficking. youtu.be/gBwy0WTB6s8?...
youtu.be
Waarom criminelen een dreigvideo voor Jan G. maakten | RENZE
YouTube video by RENZE
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 02/09/2026
Want to turn large amounts of online data into something you can investigate? Our Intermediate Scraping Webinar on September 22nd will teach you practical approaches to scraping websites and accessing data, in just four hours. Register here: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/in...
Learn our methods... Uncover the █████.
bellingcat.com/workshopsLearn how to scrape websites and social media platforms
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 01/09/2026
A mysterious, never before seen island in Canada made waves after it was photographed adrift on Williston Lake, British Columbia before supposedly vanishing. Video footage of the island shows a thickly forested landmass undulating surreally on the water. But did it really disappear?
x.com
philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) on X
'According to estimates, it's bigger than the size of a Canadian football field and nearly the size of two NFL fields'
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 01/09/2026
Who are the people behind hate networks, and who funds them? On Thursday, Bellingcat researchers will explore methods for mapping personnel and financial connections, focusing on how these networks enable organised hate groups to operate across borders. Join us live: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Mapping Hate Networks Across Borders, Bellingcat Stage Talk , Thursday 3rd of Sept, 5pm CEST/11am EDT discord.com/invite/bellingcat
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Peter Barth @oldpete45.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I spent more than a year reporting on this murder. I still have many questions about why he is still officially considered a John Doe, and why his killer was never prosecuted. Could the murderer have been protected? One note in the police file suggests he may have been a federal informant.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 31/08/2026
Skeletal remains were found in the woods of an affluent Boston suburb almost two years after the victim was killed. For three decades his name remained hidden. Bellingcat dug through public records for clues in the cold case. www.bellingcat.com/news/us-cana...
bellingcat.com
Investigating a Murder: Public Records Uncover New Clues in Chinatown Cold Case - bellingcat
On a June night in 1996, in a basement apartment in Boston’s Chinatown, a killer put a pistol to the back of a young man's head and pulled the trigger.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 28/08/2026
Are you an admirer of Bellingcat’s work? Sign up to our new newsletter to be the first to receive our latest investigations straight to your inbox. bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
Home | Bellingcat Investigations
Receive our most prominent investigations by email as soon as they are published.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 27/08/2026
Satellite imagery and AIS data show that a Russian vessel, has shuttled between Cameroon and Gabon four times since March. Experts told Bellingcat that the unusual set of movements warrants scrutiny, especially as the ship is under sanction and is previously reported to have shipped arms.
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The World @theworld.org · 25/08/2026
The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with @Bellingcat.com investigator Kolina Koltai and New Zealand-based reporter Michael Wright about their cross-border investigation tracking down the alleged owner of a “revenge porn” website.
theworld.org
Investigative report traces global reach of ‘revenge porn’ website - The World from PRX
The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with Bellingcat investigator Kolina Koltai and New Zealand-based reporter Michael Wright about their cross-border investigation tracking down the alleged owner of ...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 25/08/2026
A sanctioned vessel that was previously reported to have transported weapons for Russian mercenaries has been traversing ports on the African west coast since March, exhibiting what experts told Bellingcat was an unusual set of movements and behaviours. www.bellingcat.com/news/africa/...
bellingcat.com
Tracking a Sanctioned Russian Vessel’s West African Odyssey - bellingcat
Cargo vessel reported to have transported weapons destined for Russian mercenaries has been shuttling between West African ports since March.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 24/08/2026
New dates have been added to our webinar programme for the final months of 2026. Taught by our researchers, there are sessions for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Find the latest dates here: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/
bellingcat.com
Workshops Archive - bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 21/08/2026
Satellite images show over five miles of new road constructed in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The project is part of a US Customs and Border Protection “Smart Wall” installation that was paused after pushback from residents, politicians and other groups. www.bellingcat.com/news/us-cana...
bellingcat.com
Satellite Imagery Documents New Border Patrol Road Construction in Big Bend National Park - bellingcat
Satellite images show new road constructed in Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas, part of a US Customs and Border Protection "Smart Wall" installation.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 19/08/2026
Big investigations, no endless scrolling. Sign up to our new newsletter to get Bellingcat’s latest investigations delivered straight to your inbox. bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
Home | Bellingcat Investigations
Receive our most prominent investigations by email as soon as they are published.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 17/08/2026
Our new training programme is here, helping open source researchers of all levels push their skills further. Learn from the people doing this work every day. Find out about our upcoming webinars here: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/
bellingcat.com
Workshops Archive - bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 15/08/2026
For years LeakedBB ran openly online, inviting millions of users to trade explicit images allegedly shared without consent. @koltai.bsky.social with Michael Wright of @thepress.co.nz spoke on our Stage Talk podcast about how they traced a key admin through years of data. rss.com/podcasts/bel...
rss.com
"Exposing Leaked Intimate Imagery Forums" with Bellingcat and The Press | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
This week Bellingcat's Kolina Koltai and The Press' Michael Wright joined us to discuss their recent investigation into the website LeakedBB. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on August 13th 2026...
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 14/08/2026
We're excited to have a Mozilla fellow join us this year. Valentina Aguana Villegas will be auditing tools across our Online Investigation Toolkit and building an open security assessment framework and practical OPSEC guidance for researchers. www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...
Valentina Aguana Villegas pictured.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 13/08/2026
LeakedBB was a forum for intimate images, allegedly shared without consent. Bellingcat and The Press traced a key admin through years of data. LeakedBB may now be gone, but sites like it remain. Today at 8:15pm CEST/2:15pm EDT/11:15am PDT, the researchers join us live: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
discord.gg
Join the Bellingcat Discord Server!
Come hang out with open source research enthusiasts, share knowledge and experiences, and learn lots! | 43750 members
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 13/08/2026
Cut through the noise. Don't miss our biggest investigations. Sign up to our new newsletter and get the latest Bellingcat investigations delivered straight to your inbox as soon as they're published. bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
bellingcat-investigations.beehiiv.com
Home | Bellingcat Investigations
Receive our most prominent investigations by email as soon as they are published.
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Reposted by Bellingcat
Kolina Koltai @koltai.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Workshop alert! We've recently revamped our trainings and are offering workshops again. If you ever wanted to learn how Bellingcat does our investigations & want to do it yourself, this is the best way to learn! You'll learn from the researchers (like me) who do this all day.
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 12/08/2026
Following a short break, today we’re announcing new Bellingcat workshops. We’ve spent the last few months revamping our offerings. Find out what you could learn with us here: www.bellingcat.com/workshops/
bellingcat.com
Workshops Archive - bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 12/08/2026
New European Union sanctions have recently been announced for two vessels that Bellingcat has previously reported on as part of Russia’s shadow fleet that has been smuggling grain from occupied areas of Ukraine. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten... www.youtube.com/shorts/5FUm6...
youtube.com
Who's buying Russia's smuggled grain?
YouTube video by Bellingcat
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Bellingcat @bellingcat.com · 11/08/2026
Six out of seven alleged key members of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group sanctioned by the US have lived in Dubai. After reviewing United Arab Emirates immigration records, Bellingcat and @thetimes.com found that Christopher Kinahan Jr was issued a new visa last month. youtube.com/shorts/IEu1W...
youtube.com
Welcome To Dubai: The Kinahan Cartels Visas Revealed
YouTube video by Bellingcat
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