The Insider

The Insider is a Russian independent investigative media outlet founded in 2013, now operating in exile after sustained pressure, censorship, and legal threats made independent journalism inside Russia increasingly impossible. From outside the country, it continues to report primarily for Russian-speaking audiences, focusing on stories the state seeks to suppress. The outlet has become internationally known for its forensic investigations into corruption, intelligence operations, disinformation, and foreign interference, often combining open-source intelligence, leaked documents, and meticulous fact-checking. Its reporting frequently traces hidden financial flows, covert operations, and the mechanics of propaganda, offering readers a rare, evidence-based view behind official narratives. The Insider works through a distributed newsroom model, collaborating closely with international investigative organisations and major global media. This cross-border approach allows it to pursue complex stories that cross jurisdictions while protecting journalists and sources in high-risk environments. Financially, The Insider relies on reader donations, subscriptions, and grant funding, rejecting advertising and political backing. This model supports its editorial independence and enables it to continue producing high-impact investigations despite exile. Today, it stands as one of the most influential voices challenging state-controlled narratives about Russia from the outside.