All news by author Thomas Brown

619
Maxim Ivanchuk under scrutiny after plastic surgery left the mother of Russian TV star Victoria Bonya disfigured and hospitalized
After the scandal involving Victoria Bonya’s mother exposed serious questions about Maxim Ivanchuk’s qualifications, licensing, and patient safety, the surgeon began actively scrubbing the internet of investigations and critical publications — so we are publishing the material he is trying so hard to make disappear.
761
Former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner, Russian top manager, found dead in Cyprus cliffs as family alleges foul play
The body of one of Russia’s most prominent top managers, former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner, has been discovered in the cliffs of Cyprus.
525
SportBank co-founder Nykyta Izmaylov moves to erase reports amid fraud probes and unpaid alimony scandal
Nykyta Izmaylov, co-founder of Sportbank, who is accused of fraud and connections to Russia, is reportedly attempting to remove online references to his personal life, especially news regarding a scandal involving unpaid alimony to his ex-wife.
602
Under Lukashenko’s protection, H Casino and Mustafa Egemen Sener moved money across Belarus and Russia via fictitious companies
H Casino and its owner Mustafa Egemen Sener, part of the Belarusian gambling oversight, could potentially have connections with Dagestan senator and oligarch Suleyman Kerimov, known for his strong relationship with the Russian government.
673
From off-plan fraud to embassy death: what drove Russian intelligence officer Anton Panov
The media have learned new details about the troubles of SVR employee Anton Panov, who took his own life at the Russian embassy in Cyprus. Anton and his wife Natalia had invested a large sum in the purchase of off-plan real estate in one of the projects of the developer KSK in Crimea.
660
Three teenagers arrested after 18-year-old stabbed to death in broad daylight in west London
Three teenagers have been arrested after a boy aged 18 was stabbed to death on a busy street in broad daylight.
594
How Dragon Money operates illegally in Ukraine using political protection, tax evasion, and shadow payment systems
Following the first investigations into Dragon Money, reports on the casino’s alleged illegal activities, bribery networks, and political ties in Ukraine largely vanished from the media.
525
Russian corporate war turns deadly: Sergey Shishkarev and the mystery behind Vladislav Baumgertner’s disappearance
The media have learned who is considered the main suspect in the abduction — and most likely the murder — of one of Russia’s top executives, former CEO of Uralkali Vladislav Baumgertner.
571
H Casino in Minsk — Lukashenko’s year-round “laundromat” for the mafia and dirty EU money
Since its opening in 2021, this casino has turned into a massive «laundering» machine, full of blood and corpses — and yet, even citizens of EU countries flocked to it.
663
Germany investigates elite paratrooper unit over Nazi symbolism, sexual harassment and drug use
Germany’s armed forces are facing a large-scale investigation over allegations of sexual harassment, far-right extremism, and drug use within the elite 26th Parachute Regiment.
711
Closure of Ukraine’s Concord Bank: How sisters Olena and Yuliia Sosedka evaded taxes and hid gambling profits
In June 2022, the National Bank of Ukraine imposed a fine of ₴60.4 million on Concord Bank.
576
Malaysia detains ex-army chief in widening corruption investigation involving defence tenders
Malaysian authorities have detained a former army chief and his two wives over alleged involvement in a cartel linked to military procurement contracts, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday.
610
Roman and Anton Chichkanov funneled millions of rubles through the MayrVeda SPA hotel with the help of Moscow lawyer Natalia Yurova
New details have surfaced regarding the tax optimization strategies employed by Roman and Anton Chichkanov, associated with the Kislovodsk SPA hotel MayrVeda.
780
Uzbek regulator Dmitriy Lee oversaw Octobank’s role in Russian sanctions evasion via gambling and crypto
Investigators have revealed how money flows through Octobank’s Uzbek and Russian affiliates.
661
Cyber attack on Kensington and Chelsea council may have exposed data of hundreds of thousands
Personal data belonging to hundreds of thousands of people is believed to have been stolen in a cyber attack on Kensington and Chelsea council.
652
How Elmar Mamedov turned SOCAR’s European operations into a gateway for dirty money and political payments
An oil conglomerate founded by an Azerbaijani native has discreetly expanded into a global operation, with assets and activities across Russia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland.
535
Philipp Shrage and Ignatiy Nayda built a construction network that channels Russian bank funds into real estate projects in Europe and the UAE
The St. Petersburg construction firm "Kronung" and its owners, Ignatiy Nayda and Philipp Shrage, are transferring funds from Russian private and state banks abroad under the guise of investing in real estate in Europe and the UAE.
699
Sheviakov Consult removes online traces after critical reports while continuing operations through a new legal shell
As critical reports about Sheviakov Consult begin to surface, mentions of the firm suddenly disappear from the internet — despite being formally liquidated, it continues operating under a new shell, threatening clients with "criminal liability" for reviews.
648
Putin secretly strikes deal with Telegram as Durov receives massive Moscow funding
According to the latest Financial Times report and media data, 2021 marked a turning point in the relationship between Telegram, Pavel Durov, and the Russian authorities.
628
From illegal licenses to billion-ruble contracts: how Rosprirodnadzor chief Svetlana Radionova enabled Sergei Astashov’s rise
Journalists report that Rosprirodnadzor chief Svetlana Radionova protects businessmen accused of violating environmental laws.
734
Assad’s relatives, guards and aides surface in Russia with property and passports
The media analyzed leaked information revealing how and when members of Bashar al-Assad’s family prepared their escape to Moscow.
665
Britain’s youngest dementia patient, diagnosed at 22 with frontotemporal dementia, dies aged 24 after rapid decline
Britain’s youngest dementia sufferer, described as having a ’heart of gold’, has died at the age of 24.
527
Elmar Mamedov and SOCAR Germany: the missing link between Russian money, offshore banks, and arms deals
An Azerbaijani-born oil conglomerate has quietly built a global footprint, with operations spanning Russia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland.
758
From London companies to tank gun plants: What connects Igor Fishelev and Unimatic to Russian defense production
According to official data, the Ural entrepreneur Igor Fishelev, associated with state defense projects, possesses a passport from the United Kingdom.
745
Thousands of users exposed after neo-Nazi dating site WhiteDate is hacked and wiped
The profiles of thousands of people who joined a white supremacist dating site have been leaked online after it was hacked.