Ownership & classification
Founded: 2016
Ownership
OKO.press is a Polish investigative-journalism and fact-checking website founded in 2016 by a team led by Piotr Pacewicz, several of whom came from Agora/Gazeta Wyborcza. It is owned and operated by the non-profit Fundacja Osrodek Kontroli Obywatelskiej OKO (Foundation Centre for Civic Oversight OKO), registered in 2016.
Funding
It takes no advertising revenue and is funded by a mix of individual reader donations and grants; early seed funding came from the Stefan Batory Foundation, and it has received support from civil-society and EEA/Norway-type grant programmes.
Affiliation & stance
Its journalism is liberal/left-leaning and strongly pro-democracy, and it was a prominent critic of the PiS government's rule-of-law record. As a donor- and grant-funded non-profit foundation with no party, state or commercial owner directing it, OKO.press is INDEPENDENT (its LEFT editorial lean is a stance, not external control).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 307
76/100
Factual
65/100
Objective
353
Articles
353
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now

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In the White House, a Russian artist was shot and killed, mocking Putin and Kadyrov.

The U.S. deal with Iran.

Nearly 2,300 earthquake victims in Venezuela, mourning has been declared
Recent coverage

In 15 regions of Russia, restrictions on the sale of fuel were introduced for 24 hours
At least 15 regions in Russia implemented fuel sales restrictions on June 23 due to a fuel shortage caused by attacks on oil refining facilities by Ukrainian drones. The restrictions include limiting fuel purchases to specific volumes per person and banning refueling into cans. These measures were introduced in major regions such as Khanty-Mansiysk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Penza, Omsk, Voronezh, Murmansk, and Krasnoyarsk. Authorities cited the need to prevent artificial shortages and excessive demand. In Irkutsk Oblast, some gas stations imposed limits while others stopped operating entirely. Governor Igor Kobzev initially linked the fuel shortage to drone strikes but later removed this statement. In Vladimir Oblast, residents were urged to reduce car travel, and in North Ossetia, authorities ordered the creation of an emergency fuel reserve. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak described the situation as 'not simple but controlled,' attributing regional restrictions to temporary logistical issues. Fuel sales have effectively halted in Crimea after an attack on a logistics hub in the Kerch Strait, with the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service also禁止

Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried

Heads of foreign and defence ministries ahead of NATO summit: We will show the unity of the Alliance
Polish intelligence warns that Russia may plan provocations on Polish territory to test NATO's unity and potentially force Western allies to halt support for Ukraine. According to reports cited by Polish Onet and British The Telegraph, potential scenarios include drone or missile attacks on critical infrastructure such as power plants, simulated air strikes that would compel Poland to deploy air defense systems, or hybrid attacks along the border. In an extreme scenario, there could be a small land invasion by Russian or Belarusian forces through Kaliningrad or Belarus, or false flag operations involving GPS disruptions or rescue missions to recover damaged helicopters. These actions aim to pressure Poland into negotiations, possibly leading to a withdrawal from occupied territories if NATO does not respond militarily. Multiple sources, including an ambassador from a NATO ally, the Polish Ministry of National Defense, and Baltic security services, have confirmed these concerns. The Telegraph also notes that NATO might retaliate directly against Kaliningrad. Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, which includes Donald Trump, the stakes involve convincing Moscow that Article 5 remains a

Trzaskowski announced the resignation of two vice-presidents of Warsaw
Rosja planuje prowokację na terytorium Polski, aby przetestować NATO, według źródeł wywiadowczych, w tym polskiego Onetu i brytyjskiego The Telegraph. Prowokacja może obejmować ataki dronów lub rakiet na infrastrukturę krytyczną, symulowane ataki powietrzne, oraz inne działania hybrydowe, takie jak awaria GPS lub operacje ratunkowe. Źródła sugerują, że Rosja chce zmusić Zachód do zawieszenia wsparcia dla Ukrainy i wywołać reakcję NATO. Wspomniano również o możliwości inwazyjnych działań przez Kaliningrad lub Białoruś. Z kolei źródła w NATO ostrzegają przed możliwymi odpowiedziami, w tym atakami na Kaliningrad. Szczątkowa decyzja o prowokacji nie została jeszcze podjęta, a stawką nadchodzącego szczytu NATO w Ankarze jest zaufanie do artykułu 5 pakietu NATO.

In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the

Edwin Bendyk in The Big Questions
The article announces an episode of the Polish public affairs program 'Najważniejsze pytania' (The Most Important Questions), featuring a conversation between hosts Przemysław Szubartowicz and Karolina Olejak with Edwin Bendyk, president of the Foundation named after Stefan Batory. The program airs on Friday at 18:00 on Polsat, with live streaming available on Polsat News, polsatnews.pl, and Interii. Previous episodes are accessible via a provided link. The show is described as a publicist program featuring prominent Polish politicians and opinion leaders, known for its objective approach, in-depth discussions, and helping viewers navigate complex political and economic issues.

We're still collecting for children thrown out of POW camps.
The article reports on a fundraising campaign organized by OKO.press and the Polish Migration Forum, which has raised over 2 million zł for Ukrainian refugees affected by new restrictive policies limiting their stay in collective accommodation centers (OZZ). The campaign gained momentum after the implementation of strict rules on July 1, 2026, which disproportionately impacted children over 12 months old and elderly individuals. These groups were often cared for by family members who had been recognized as vulnerable. The article highlights specific cases, such as a single mother with three children losing her housing rights, and describes the emotional and practical challenges faced by families. It criticizes the Polish government’s approach as harsh and inhumane, emphasizing the lack of support for vulnerable groups.

Ziobro is to be taken into custody, it's final consent, now it's time for extradition
The Warsaw District Court has issued a final ruling allowing the temporary arrest of Zbigniew Ziobro, a former Polish justice minister who is currently hiding in the United States. The court ruled on July 1, 2026, after a lengthy hearing where Ziobro’s defense team attempted to delay proceedings by requesting the removal of judges from the panel. These requests were denied, and the court upheld the decision to detain Ziobro based on allegations related to the Justice Fund scandal. The prosecution claims there is sufficient evidence to justify the arrest, citing risks of flight, obstruction of justice, and potential criminal liability. With this ruling, Poland’s Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, can now formally request Ziobro’s extradition from the U.S., where he sought asylum under the Hungarian government led by Viktor Orbán. Ziobro fled to Budapest in late 2025 to avoid arrest linked to the ongoing investigation into the Justice Fund affair.

Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.

How Donald Trump is twisting American history on its 250th anniversary
The article discusses the historical origins of American independence, focusing on the Declaration of Independence written by educated individuals influenced by European political thought. It contrasts this with modern U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to history, which the author criticizes as nationalist, racist, and sexist. The piece highlights how the Founding Fathers used philosophical arguments, particularly drawing from John Locke, to justify their resistance against British taxation without representation. It notes that while the official narrative often emphasizes figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine played a crucial role in mobilizing support through his pamphlet 'Common Sense'.

The amount of gasoline available in Russia is determined by a match between Ukrainian drones and Russian service teams.
The article discusses the impact of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, leading to severe fuel shortages across much of the country. Two-thirds of Russia's 83 regions now report fuel supply issues, affecting millions of people and threatening the survival of many businesses. The situation is particularly dire in Crimea, where occupation authorities have declared emergency conditions and banned fuel sales. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the problem but downplayed its severity, claiming it is not critical and shifting blame onto Russian attacks on Ukraine. Domestic social media is flooded with footage of angry drivers at gas stations, highlighting the growing frustration among Russians. Additionally, India, Russia's largest foreign buyer of crude oil, has announced plans to export refined petroleum back to Russia, indicating a lack of domestic refining capacity due to Ukrainian strikes. Analysts suggest that the availability of fuel in Russia is now determined by the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian drones and Russian maintenance teams.

NATO summit in the shadow of the Iran war, Trump asks why he wants an alliance, Europe talks about "partnership"
The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will test whether increased European defense spending can maintain American security guarantees, especially amid tensions over the war in Iran and Donald Trump's dissatisfaction. European NATO members hoped the summit would focus on their increased defense budgets since the previous summit in Halifax, but Trump remains frustrated with some allies' stance on the Iran conflict. The European Union aims to transition from a dependent relationship with the U.S. to a partnership model, emphasizing greater European autonomy in defense. However, questions remain about whether these financial commitments translate into real military capabilities and whether NATO can maintain unity despite internal disputes.

The Lefebvrists are now outside the Catholic Church, excommunicated by the Pope.
The article reports on the increased death toll following a Russian attack on Kyiv on April 5th, which resulted in at least 30 civilian casualties and numerous injuries. Rescue teams continued their efforts, recovering additional victims from the rubble. The attack targeted residential buildings, causing significant damage to infrastructure and civilian areas. Ukrainian authorities claim the majority of Russian attacks are directed at civilian infrastructure rather than military targets. The article notes that Russia has intensified attacks on fuel stations and other critical facilities, contributing to an energy crisis. Russian state media frames these actions as necessary to stabilize internal conditions, while Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of escalating civilian casualties due to failed military strategies.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided

Two gays can't settle a PIT together.

Polish law fails to keep pace with changing climate

Minister Crab has suspended Judge Piebiak for a heiter affair and a will of Nina's aunt.

Ukraine to Poland: unification always strengthens common security

Now, Morawiecki knows how PiS can win in 2027.

Russia is hitting Ukraine again, dead and wounded.
