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Russian state media are today alleging that a Bellingcat reporter was involved in an attempt to hijack a Russian fighter plane. We would like to make clear that Bellingcat had absolutely no involvement in the alleged activities and the accusations towards us are entirely false.

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The picture and name in the press pass published in RU media does not depict any of our staff members or contributors. If they exist, we are unaware of them ever engaging with us. The press pass is also not remotely like any Bellingcat ID or documentation.

Bellingcat has been named an undesirable organisation in Russia because of our reporting on the country dating back to the downing of MH17 in 2014 by Russian-backed forces. We will continue to report accurately on Russia and will not be intimidated by disinformation and false accusations.

This is like some IMF level bullshit. If you can’t find leverage; go ahead and make your own. I do wonder about the guy in the picture. Did he just pop up in some random evildoers database? Or did they simplify things and use a picture of the janitor?

I do hope your Bellingcat reporter chose to try & steal a Russian fighter plane with an engine in it! Although I accept that may be trickier than you'd think at first.