Investigations

16 stories
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Updated 42 days ago
"Dispose of Them," the Commander Ordered
Important Stories has learned the names of Russian soldiers involved in the killing of local civilians in a village near Kyiv. We called them, and one of the soldiers confessed to his crimes.
18.08.2022
"Dispose of Them," the Commander Ordered
Eight Pskov paratroopers in Bucha
The phone of a local resident who survived a mass shooting was found in Bucha. The occupiers used this phone to call home. We found them
27.06.2022
Eight Pskov paratroopers in Bucha
How the war divided one of Russia's most influential political clans
Relatives of the governor of the Moscow region — a longtime associate of the Russian defense minister — invested millions of dollars in foreign assets, obtained foreign citizenship, and spoke out against the "special military operation"
23.06.2022
How the war divided one of Russia's most influential political clans
Rotenbergs' enforcer
What's the connection between the head of the Russian Railways Security Service and Vladimir Putin's childhood friends
09.06.2022
Rotenbergs' enforcer
Why Ramzan Kadyrov's Friend Was Awarded the Title of Hero of Russia
IStories explains how Adam Delimkhanov became the principal organizer of the war between the Chechens and the Ukrainians
05.05.2022
Why Ramzan Kadyrov's Friend Was Awarded the Title of Hero of Russia
“Before, it never occurred to anyone to consider education as a threat to security”
How university freedoms are being eliminated in Russia, rectors are being purged, and higher education is being placed under the control of the security services. An "Important Stories" investigation.
08.04.2022
“Before, it never occurred to anyone to consider education as a threat to security”
"Dad, help me, I'm suffocating." Why the Russian environmental monitoring system does not work
IStories studied data on air pollution in Russia and investigated how the state "enhances" official statistics on harmful emissions while millions of Russians die because of poor ecology
05.08.2021
"Dad, help me, I'm suffocating." Why the Russian environmental monitoring system does not work
While deputy sleeps, net takes
For five years of work in the State Duma dozens of deputies have never spoken at meetings, and some of them have not introduced a bill. Such passivity does not prevent them from drawing a huge salary and running in the elections again in September.
01.07.2021
While deputy sleeps, net takes
"I'm so tired of burying my friends"
Industrial workers die or get injured on duty daily, but most of the accidents are concealed. IStories calculated the actual scale of industrial injuries in Russia and it might be 44 times higher than official statistics show
10.06.2021
"I'm so tired of burying my friends"
How Authorities Stripped Russians Of Choice
Over the past 14 years, the authorities have prevented 120,000 candidates from participating in elections of various levels, depriving millions of Russian citizens of the right to choose their representatives. An Important Stories investigation.
08.06.2021
How Authorities Stripped Russians Of Choice
“Much like the prison staff, they think that inmates can be beaten, tortured and humiliated without consequence”
Why public oversight committees in Russian regions are pushing out human rights lawyers and replacing them with ex-siloviki and businesspeople loyal to prison admin
27.04.2021
“Much like the prison staff, they think that inmates can be beaten, tortured and humiliated without consequence”
Expendables of the “quota” system
Former policemen and “regular” attesting witnesses who fabricated drug trafficking cases against 17 people are being tried in Samara. The study performed by Important Stories shows that this is only a small part of a large-scale scheme, designed to fabricate “drug” related cases in the region: 86 fake attesting witnesses who took part in 269 cases were identified.
31.03.2021
Expendables of the “quota” system
“I’m a witness!” Who helps the police to fabricate drug related cases
Journalists from the Important Stories and Meduza newspapers found more than 140 “regular” witnesses who testified in Moscow courts in the so called “drug” trials. They are the acquaintances of the policemen or those who are dependent from them. Despite gross violations of the law, the judges sent hundreds of people to jail.
18.02.2021
“I’m a witness!” Who helps the police to fabricate drug related cases
Love, Offshores, and Administrative Resources: How Marrying Putin’s Daughter Gave Kirill Shamalov a World of Opportunity
Thousands of emails sent and received by Kirill Shamalov — Vladimir Putin’s former son-in-law — showcase the fantastic wealth and personal power that come with access to Russia’s first family
07.12.2020
Love, Offshores, and Administrative Resources: How Marrying Putin’s Daughter Gave Kirill Shamalov a World of Opportunity
Russian Elites’ Connections to Bulgaria’s Largest ‘Crime Group’
Leading Russian defense figures bought luxury apartments in a Black Sea resort controlled by an organization U.S. diplomats called one of the country’s largest crime syndicates
10.09.2020
Russian Elites’ Connections to Bulgaria’s Largest ‘Crime Group’
Hundreds of Millions Flow From Russian Ministry Into An Obscure Geneva Organization — And Officials’ Pockets
21.07.2020
Hundreds of Millions Flow From Russian Ministry Into An Obscure Geneva Organization — And Officials’ Pockets
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