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Investigation

Ukraine Investigations: Corruption, War Crimes & Power Exposés

Foreign volunteers in the Ukrainian International Legion standing with their unit on the frontline, symbolizing their fight and call for legal recognition.

Foreign soldiers defending Ukraine call for legal recognition and justice

Investigation: Foreign volunteers risking life on Ukraine’s frontlines demand legal recognition, combatant status and justice — spotlighting rights, protections and responsibilities under evolving laws.

Apr 30, 2025

Visual representation of Crimea’s economic history and demographic change, highlighting investments, displacement and Soviet occupation legacy. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

The true cost of Crimea: investments, displacement, and the legacy of Soviet occupation

An investigation into the true costs of Crimea — from Ukraine’s huge infrastructure investments, mass deportations and resettlement to the deeper Soviet‑era legacy reshaping the peninsula’s economy and demographics. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Apr 29, 2025

Portrait of Anya Yeltsova with a blurred detention backdrop symbolizing her abduction and forced confession in occupied Crimea

Bag over the head. And — into the car. How the Russians abducted Kherson student Anya Yeltsova and forced her to testify against herself

A chilling investigation: Russian FSB abducts Kherson student Anya Yeltsova, holds her in Crimea, and forces a coerced confession. Read the full EMPR investigation.

Apr 16, 2025

Concept image showing Ukraine’s critical mineral wealth and U.S. influence, symbolizing debate over draft mineral deal and geopolitical control.

New draft of Ukraine’s mineral deal: neo-colonial enrichment of the U.S. at the expense of a destroyed but resource-rich Ukraine

Critics argue the new U.S.–Ukraine mineral deal draft could let the U.S. tap Ukraine’s rich resources under unfair terms while Kyiv fights Russia and rebuilds — sparking neo-colonialism fears.

Mar 29, 2025

Ukrainian defense and energy experts debate the risks of an energy truce while Russian strikes continue and Crimea strike options loom.

Energy truce: what are the risks for Ukraine and can we strike targets in Crimea?

Amid talks of a temporary energy truce, Ukraine faces deep strategic risks: Russia’s repeated violations, frontline pressure and questions over whether Kyiv can lawfully strike targets in Crimea.

Mar 27, 2025

Memorial wall in Bucha listing the names of civilians killed during Russian occupation, reflecting the human cost and war crimes in the Kyiv suburb.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

How many Ukrainians died in Bucha?

New investigation reveals that between Feb–Mar 2022, at least 381 people were killed in the city of Bucha and around 582 in the wider Bucha community under Russian occupation. Hundreds remain unidentified.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Mar 22, 2025

Portrait of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s top aide, whose past business connections to a Russian partner reportedly linked him to firms tied to Russia’s elite. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Zelensky’s aide Yermak has business ties with Russia

Investigative journalism by *Schemes* found that Ukraine’s presidential aide Andriy Yermak was co-beneficiary of companies with a Russian citizen linked to elite circles near Putin, prompting scrutiny of past business ties.

Mar 15, 2025

Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukraine’s president, depicted amid allegations of past Russian business ties and influence concerns at the highest levels. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Yermak’s secret ties: Russian influence at the heart of Ukraine’s leadership?

Investigations suggest Ukraine’s chief presidential aide Andriy Yermak had business ties with Russian partners tied to Kremlin elites and that his inner circle’s connections raise questions about Russian influence at the heart of Kyiv’s leadership.

Mar 14, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in diplomatic contexts as U.S. sanctions tighten and Kremlin rejects ceasefire proposals.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Trump shuts down Russia’s sanctions loophole: end of General License 8L

President Trump allowed General License 8L to expire, shutting a Russia sanctions loophole that let energy deals persist — even as Putin publicly rebuffs a U.S. ceasefire ultimatum and sticks to military goals.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Mar 14, 2025

Investigators reconstruct plan from sand traces

Plan that Trump and Putin had agreed upon long before Trump’s inauguration and swiftly began implementing right after it

Part 2 of this investigative series uncovers how traces in the sand were used to reconstruct a hidden battlefield plan. Expert insights, forensic detail, and war strategy at empr.media.

Mar 11, 2025

U.S. flag and erased treaty documents in Washington

America’s abandonment of commitments

Investigative analysis: The U.S. State Department and White House removed public records of critical security guarantee agreements, shaking trust in commitments and global diplomacy — exclusive by empr.media. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Mar 6, 2025

Aftermath of Iskander strike on Ukrainian reserve battalion

Strike of an Iskander on the 168th Reserve Battalion: what happened, who is responsible, and how to prevent recurrences?

A Russian Iskander‑M ballistic missile hit Ukraine’s 168th Reserve Battalion near Cherkaske, killing and wounding scores. Investigative analysis reveals failures, leadership blame, and key lessons to prevent future strikes — only at empr.media. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}