NetherlandsOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Bellingcat is an open-source investigative outlet founded in July 2014 by British citizen-journalist Eliot Higgins, who initially funded it via a Kickstarter campaign. Since 2018 the website has been operated by the Netherlands-based non-profit Stichting Bellingcat (Bellingcat Foundation), with an associated Bellingcat Productions BV; Higgins is its creative director. It is an independent NGO, not owned by any state, party or corporate parent.
Funding
Funded through grants from foundations and democracy/press-freedom funders (including the Open Society Foundations, National Endowment for Democracy, Porticus and Adessium), plus a major prize from the Dutch Postcode Lottery, alongside reader donations, workshops and in-kind tech support. It accepts no funding from governments it investigates.
Affiliation & stance
A non-partisan investigative collective best known for open-source work on MH17, Syria chemical attacks and the Navalny poisoning; critics on the left have flagged some of its US/European democracy-fund grants, but it operates as an independent Dutch foundation without party or state ownership. It is therefore INDEPENDENT (CENTER_LEFT is a reasonable read of its outlook).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 9
74/100
Factual
80/100
Objective
11
Articles
11
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Viral Google Maps Images Shared Widely This Week Show Gaza Ruins. We Obtained More Recent Satellite Imagery
This article discusses the spread of viral Google Maps images that appeared to show extensive destruction in Gaza, particularly in the southern city of Rafah. These images were widely shared on social media and attributed to recent updates from Google. However, upon investigation by Bellingcat, it was revealed that the imagery was not new but had been available since June 2026. The article notes that Google regularly updates third-party satellite images and that the latest Gaza imagery had already been accessible for several months. Additionally, Bellingcat accessed satellite data from Planet Labs, which provided more recent imagery showing further destruction in Rafah and other parts of Gaza as late as September 2026. Comparisons between older and newer images highlight significant changes, including the demolition of neighborhoods and schools. The article underscores the importance of verifying the dates of satellite imagery to accurately assess the timeline and extent of destruction.
Christy Kinahan’s UAE Residence Visa Cancelled
Bellingcat, in collaboration with The Sunday Times, reports that Christy Kinahan, the head of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group, has had his UAE residence visa revoked. This follows the extradition of his son Daniel Kinahan to Ireland, where he faces charges related to criminal organization activities. The visa cancellation occurred shortly after a previous investigation revealed that another son, Christopher Kinahan, received a new UAE visa despite being sanctioned by the U.S. government. The report highlights that several senior cartel members, including Bernard Clancy and Ian Dixon, maintain residence permits in Dubai, often under employment-based visas sponsored by local firms linked to the cartel. The UAE requires employers or authorized representatives to initiate the visa cancellation process for such cases.
“A Recurring Pattern”: Civilians Paying the Price in Mali’s Drone Campaign
A joint investigation by Bellingcat and Jeune Afrique reveals that the Malian military's drone campaign has frequently targeted civilian areas in northern Mali, resulting in civilian casualties. The strikes, often shown on national television as 'precise' attacks against terrorists, have raised concerns about the accuracy of targeting and the impact on non-combatants. The study highlights a pattern where individuals are treated as potential threats based on their location rather than their identity. The research includes geolocation data of over a dozen drone strikes, though many more strikes remain unverified due to lack of footage or remote locations. Experts suggest that the portrayal of these strikes in media creates a narrative similar to a national saga, overshadowing the human cost.
Bellingcat Official Merch Design Contest
Bellingcat, an investigative journalism organization, has announced an official merchandise design contest to create branded items such as t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs. The initiative aims to engage the community in shaping the visual identity of the organization. Participants are invited to submit original, human-created design concepts through a Google Form, with winners receiving recognition and potential merch featuring their designs. Submissions must adhere to guidelines regarding appropriateness and content standards. Winners will transfer intellectual property rights to Bellingcat Stichting, while retaining moral rights. The deadline for submissions is October 2, 2026, with results announced by November 6, 2026.
Investigating a Murder: Public Records Uncover New Clues in Chinatown Cold Case
In June 1996, a young man was shot dead in a basement apartment in Boston’s Chinatown and later buried in the woods. His body remained unidentified for over 30 years until Bellingcat investigated the case using public records, FOIA requests, and interviews with investigators. The victim, Fu Chun Wang, was identified as a 26-year-old undocumented Chinese immigrant who may have been associated with the Fukienese Flying Dragons, a violent organized crime group operating in New England during the 1990s. The group was linked to home invasions, extortion, and kidnappings. While some evidence suggests Wang might have been targeted due to his involvement with the gang, the case remains unsolved.
Tracking a Sanctioned Russian Vessel’s West African Odyssey
Bellingcat reports on the movement of the Russian-flagged cargo vessel 'Patria,' which has been sanctioned by the U.S., Ukraine, and Canada. The ship has been observed making multiple stops along the western coast of Africa since March 2024, including visits to ports in Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea. Experts note the vessel's unusual behavior, such as frequent port calls and prolonged anchoring, raising concerns due to its sanctions status and prior association with weapon shipments. Satellite imagery and AIS data were used to track the ship, though there is no evidence of AIS spoofing. The vessel's distinctive design, including its red deck and built-in vehicle ramp, aids in identification.
Satellite Imagery Documents New Border Patrol Road Construction in Big Bend National Park
Bellingcat has analyzed satellite imagery revealing over five miles of new road construction within Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas, part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 'Smart Wall' initiative. The project, which includes roads, barriers, lighting, and cameras, faced opposition from local residents, politicians, and environmental groups, leading to a temporary pause. The roads run alongside the Rio Grande, through floodplains and riparian forests, and pass near several park areas including Cottonwood Campground, Santa Elena Canyon, and Mariscal Canyon. Planet Labs imagery from late August 2026 shows these developments, with some images indicating construction equipment and prior sightings of bulldozers. The CBP commissioner referred to the work as 'survey and design,' but critics argue the construction impacts the environment, recreation access, and local economy.
Welcome to Dubai: Kinahan Cartel’s Visas Revealed
Bellingcat, in collaboration with The Sunday Times, analyzed UAE immigration records and uncovered that Christopher Kinahan Jr., a key leader of the Kinahan Cartel, recently received a renewed residence visa in Dubai despite being a sanctioned fugitive. The cartel, which operates a $1.5 billion transnational criminal network involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and arms smuggling, has ties to Iranian intelligence and Hezbollah. Despite U.S. sanctions and a $5 million reward for his capture, Kinahan Jr. continues to engage with UAE immigration authorities. His brother Daniel Kinahan recently lost his final appeal against extradition to Ireland, marking another arrest of the cartel in the UAE. While the UAE claims to have frozen $200 million in Kinahan assets, evidence suggests the cartel remains active within the country.
Will Ronaldo Cry? World Cup Fans Bet Billions Through Prediction Markets
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, football fans placed over $14 billion in bets through prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, according to an analysis by Bellingcat. These platforms function similarly to stock exchanges, allowing users to bet on specific outcomes such as match results, tournament winners, and even whether Cristiano Ronaldo would cry during a game. The analysis revealed that just 1% of users on Polymarket accounted for 86% of all winnings, while the bottom half of users earned less than 0.1% of the profits. This highlights significant disparities in how winnings were distributed among participants. The World Cup, held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, was expected to generate up to $50 billion in wagers, making it the largest betting event in history. Critics have raised concerns about the risks of insider trading, market manipulation, and unregulated gambling within these platforms.
Shahed-Type Drones Filmed During Mali Village Attacks
Bellingcat has analyzed and geolocated video footage showing Shahed-136 type kamikaze drones being used in attacks on villages in northern Mali. These drones, known for their role in conflicts such as Ukraine, were reportedly deployed by Russian-backed forces operating in the region. The evidence includes satellite imagery, expert analysis, and social media posts confirming the drones' presence during strikes in Inafarak on July 12 and Talahandak on July 17, 2026. Experts suggest the drones were likely manufactured in Russia, aligning with the involvement of the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps and broader Russian military support to Mali. Previous reports indicated the presence of Russian drones in Mali, but this is the first verified footage showing them in action.
Identifying the Crypto Entrepreneur Linked to Popular Forum Trading in ‘Leaked’ Nudes of Women
In 2024, Steve Waithe, a former track and field coach in Boston, Massachusetts, was sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to extort over 100 women, including student-athletes he coached, into sending him intimate photos. According to a 2021 criminal complaint, Waithe stole photos from victims' phones under the guise of filming their form during practice and created fake online accounts to lure victims into sharing more images. He also hired someone else in 2020 to hack into the Snapchat accounts of women he coached or had relationships with to steal and distribute nude images. Bellingcat investigated further and discovered that the forum 'LeakedBB,' where such activities occurred, appears to be linked to Jitendra Maharaj, a Christchurch-based former pilot and co-founder of a cryptocurrency startup called Pay It Now (PIN). Despite being contacted by The Press regarding these findings, Maharaj did not respond, and the LeakedBB website became inaccessible shortly after.