These open-source visual investigations use satellite imagery, social media, and online tools to shed light on international conflict — from tracking weapon supplies to debunking government claims. This Emmy-nominated series is a partnership of Scripps News and the investigative journalism outlet Bellingcat and is the winner of the 2020 Scripps Howard Award for Innovation.
Russia’s Ghost Fleet
Scripps News and Bellingcat uncover Russian vessels, covertly exploiting international ports for Ukraine's resources in the spoils of war.
Visual evidence highlights costs of Wagner revolt in Russia
Following Wagner leader's relocation to Belarus, neighboring Poland has said it's tightening border security and asking for help from the E.U.
Ukraine: Impacts of Invasion
Bellingcat and Scripps News explore the human costs of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the war that continues to rage in eastern Europe.
Will Luxury Resorts Threaten Caribbean Coasts?
Newsy + Bellingcat dig into a luxury development that has divided a Caribbean island, raising questions about protections for vulnerable environments.
Ukraine's Cultural Heritage Is Another Casualty Of Russia’s Invasion
From monasteries to museums, Russian attacks have damaged or destroyed hundreds of sites significant to Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Russia's Cluster Munitions Will Still Affect Ukraine Years After War
Russia's use of cluster munitions will have long-term damage, as some bombs that didn't immediately explode can lie dormant for years.
How Russia’s False Flags Set The Stage For War In Ukraine
State-controlled Russian news agencies and pro-Russian voices online are spreading dubious videos that paint Ukraine as the aggressor.
Tracking The 'Sword Bombs' Of America's Drone War
The R9X Hellfire missile is a rarely used U.S. weapon that uses extending blades as it impacts instead of explosions.
Cameroon's Conflict Puts Schools In The Crossfire
The most recent count found that four out of every five schools in the country's Anglophone region were closed.
Colombia Cracks Down On Protesters, With Violent Results
In this investigation, Newsy worked with Bellingcat and Cerosetenta to examine open source evidence showing police violence in Cali, Colombia.
Shedding Light On A Clifftop Massacre In Ethiopia
For the first time, we've located the precise spot of a recent mass killing of civilians in Tigray based on videos that surfaced online this month.
Police Use Of 'Less-Lethal' Munitions Has Exploded
From tear gas to rubber bullets, police use of so-called "less-lethal" munitions has ramped up over the past year.
How A Violent Mob Breached The Capitol
Analysis of dozens of videos taken at the storming of the U.S. Capitol building shows how the mob gained access and how far they made it inside.
Visual Evidence From North Korean Parade Shows Expanding Arsenal
Analysts say the North Korean arsenal now includes the world’s largest mobile intercontinental ballistic missile.
What Visual Evidence Tells Us About What Caused The Beirut Explosion
So far there are reports of at least 100 deaths and thousands of injuries from the blast, which was large enough it was felt in Cyprus.
Tear Gas Use Was Limited In Portland. Then Federal Agents Showed Up
A Newsy analysis of Bellingcat footage from Portland finds more than 50 uses of tear gas from federal agents in the last three weeks.
Breaking Down How Police Have Targeted Press During Protests
There have been more than 100 incidents of police hostility toward members of the media covering protests in the wake of George Floyd's slaying.
How One Greek Island Reveals Europe's Far-Right Nationalist Network
A small Greek island has become a magnet for Europe's far-right Identitarians — something that helps reveal what the network looks like.
Here's How To Track The World When It Grinds To a Halt
Online tools and satellite imagery show us just how much less air and ground traffic there is in the time of coronavirus.
Breaking Down The Disinformation Ecosystem Around Coronavirus
As the coronavirus sweeps across the globe, another kind of contagion is spreading as well — disinformation. Newsy and Bellingcat are here to help.
How A Shootout In Syria Shows A Precarious Position For US Troops
A meeting of U.S., Russian and Syrian troops at a checkpoint turned into a deadly confrontation for civilians.
A Shot From Police Killed A Protester In Colombia. Here's How We Know.
Exclusive video evidence shows what led up to the fatal shooting of a protester in Colombia.
We Found More Active Duty Military In Leaked Neo-Nazi Forum
We confirmed two more users of Iron March were active duty U.S. military personnel during their time using the neo-Nazi forum.
'Non-Lethal' Crackdown On Protests Turns Deadly In Iraq
Photos and video evidence show an unexpected source of protester casualties: tear gas canisters fired directly into crowds.
Video Evidence Sheds Light On Executions Near Turkey-Syria Border
By examining satellite imagery and videos posted to social media, we can connect the dots between extrajudicial killings near the Turkey-Syria border.
Saudi Arabia's Air Strikes Are Killing Civilians With U.S. Weapons
Despite Saudi Arabia's claims, open source evidence shows many airstrikes are killing civilians — and U.S. weapons are being used to do it.
How Digital Detective Work Debunks Russia's Claims On White Helmets
From Newsy and Bellingcat, satellite imagery and social media sleuthing pulls back the curtain on a coordinated disinformation campaign.
Who Set Fire To Venezuela Aid? New Footage Gives A Clearer Picture
From Newsy and Bellingcat, video footage taken the day three aid trucks were burned on the Venezuelan border sheds more light on who started the fire.
Who Shot Down MH17? These Are The Rebels Linked To The Massacre
A new investigation from Newsy's partner Bellingcat reveals the names of separatists linked to the downing of MH17 in Eastern Ukraine in 2014.