Benjamin Strick
@bendobrown.bsky.social
Investigator | Human Rights | Hybrid Wars
- Makes videos on maps, data & #OSINT
- Director of Investigations at @cen4infores.bsky.social
- Prev at BBC Africa Eye. Bellingcat contributor.
- Makes videos on maps, data & #OSINT
- Director of Investigations at @cen4infores.bsky.social
- Prev at BBC Africa Eye. Bellingcat contributor.
Pinned
Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above.
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
Read it all here. osintfieldnotes.substack.com/p/osint-fiel...
OSINT Field Notes #5
Ships stealing names from the unbuilt, whale highways mapped like roads, a three-layer satellite stack and the $34 billion company arming Russia's airwaves.
tinyurl.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Read it all here. osintfieldnotes.substack.com/p/osint-fiel...
Plus: Lloyd's List on the first known case of newbuild IMO fraud, the site tracking Russia's shadow fleet, and migratory whale highways.
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Plus: Lloyd's List on the first known case of newbuild IMO fraud, the site tracking Russia's shadow fleet, and migratory whale highways.
This month's case file studies @truth.bsky.social's Ubiquiti investigation methods: trade data + TG monitoring + corporate data + procurement + networks.
hntrbrk.com/ubiquiti/
hntrbrk.com/ubiquiti/
Ubiquiti: The U.S. Tech Enabling Russia's Drone War
Based on Hunterbrook Media’s reporting, Hunterbrook Capital is short $UI and long a basket of comparable securities at the time of publication. Positions may change at any time. See full disclosures b...
hntrbrk.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This month's case file studies @truth.bsky.social's Ubiquiti investigation methods: trade data + TG monitoring + corporate data + procurement + networks.
hntrbrk.com/ubiquiti/
hntrbrk.com/ubiquiti/
The toolkit section has been expanded to 12 geospatial platforms based on community recommendations: everything from Copernicus Browser to SkyfiApp, SoarAtlas, NASA Worldview and more.
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
The toolkit section has been expanded to 12 geospatial platforms based on community recommendations: everything from Copernicus Browser to SkyfiApp, SoarAtlas, NASA Worldview and more.
The Technical Teardown walks through stacking satellite sources for defensible timelines.
Google Earth Pro for rough dates, Copernicus for change signals, Esri Wayback for clean before/after.
Google Earth Pro for rough dates, Copernicus for change signals, Esri Wayback for clean before/after.
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
The Technical Teardown walks through stacking satellite sources for defensible timelines.
Google Earth Pro for rough dates, Copernicus for change signals, Esri Wayback for clean before/after.
Google Earth Pro for rough dates, Copernicus for change signals, Esri Wayback for clean before/after.
OSINT Field Notes #5 is out: satellites, sanctions-evasion, and stacking evidence.
This month: newbuild identity theft in the shadow fleet, satellite methodologies stacked and how Ubiquiti networking gear ended up powering Russia's drone war.
🧵
This month: newbuild identity theft in the shadow fleet, satellite methodologies stacked and how Ubiquiti networking gear ended up powering Russia's drone war.
🧵
February 11, 2026 at 12:07 PM
OSINT Field Notes #5 is out: satellites, sanctions-evasion, and stacking evidence.
This month: newbuild identity theft in the shadow fleet, satellite methodologies stacked and how Ubiquiti networking gear ended up powering Russia's drone war.
🧵
This month: newbuild identity theft in the shadow fleet, satellite methodologies stacked and how Ubiquiti networking gear ended up powering Russia's drone war.
🧵
Wow. 100,000 subs on YouTube. For maps, metadata and the occasional weaponised Hilux.
Since Feb 2021, my channel has been about breaking down imagery, tools, tracking world events and sharing methods to democratise OSINT.
Thanks for watching, sharing and nerding out with me 🤓
Since Feb 2021, my channel has been about breaking down imagery, tools, tracking world events and sharing methods to democratise OSINT.
Thanks for watching, sharing and nerding out with me 🤓
January 30, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Wow. 100,000 subs on YouTube. For maps, metadata and the occasional weaponised Hilux.
Since Feb 2021, my channel has been about breaking down imagery, tools, tracking world events and sharing methods to democratise OSINT.
Thanks for watching, sharing and nerding out with me 🤓
Since Feb 2021, my channel has been about breaking down imagery, tools, tracking world events and sharing methods to democratise OSINT.
Thanks for watching, sharing and nerding out with me 🤓
Full walkthrough with more tips, tricks and some very interesting locations in my YouTube video on 6 top free satellite imagery sources.
If you're only using one tool for satellite imagery, this will show you how they work together.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0RQ...
If you're only using one tool for satellite imagery, this will show you how they work together.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0RQ...
6 Free Satellite Imagery Tools for OSINT That Actually Matter
YouTube video by Bendobrown
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Full walkthrough with more tips, tricks and some very interesting locations in my YouTube video on 6 top free satellite imagery sources.
If you're only using one tool for satellite imagery, this will show you how they work together.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0RQ...
If you're only using one tool for satellite imagery, this will show you how they work together.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0RQ...
The real trick: use them together.
My workflow would be something like:
1. Google Earth (history)
2. Copernicus (spectral/radar)
3. Wayback/ArcGIS (hi-res compare)
4. Apple/Bing (alt angles)
My workflow would be something like:
1. Google Earth (history)
2. Copernicus (spectral/radar)
3. Wayback/ArcGIS (hi-res compare)
4. Apple/Bing (alt angles)
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
The real trick: use them together.
My workflow would be something like:
1. Google Earth (history)
2. Copernicus (spectral/radar)
3. Wayback/ArcGIS (hi-res compare)
4. Apple/Bing (alt angles)
My workflow would be something like:
1. Google Earth (history)
2. Copernicus (spectral/radar)
3. Wayback/ArcGIS (hi-res compare)
4. Apple/Bing (alt angles)
6. Bing Maps = another independent angle + sometimes detailed aerial.
Best for: cross-checking what you’re seeing, and getting the aerial imagery (when it is available).
Best for: cross-checking what you’re seeing, and getting the aerial imagery (when it is available).
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
6. Bing Maps = another independent angle + sometimes detailed aerial.
Best for: cross-checking what you’re seeing, and getting the aerial imagery (when it is available).
Best for: cross-checking what you’re seeing, and getting the aerial imagery (when it is available).
5. Apple Maps = alternative perspective (sometimes different imagery than Google and much more clear like these cars driving through Libya's desert).
Best for: sanity-checking a location, and (in some cities) using strong 3D building models for context.
Best for: sanity-checking a location, and (in some cities) using strong 3D building models for context.
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
5. Apple Maps = alternative perspective (sometimes different imagery than Google and much more clear like these cars driving through Libya's desert).
Best for: sanity-checking a location, and (in some cities) using strong 3D building models for context.
Best for: sanity-checking a location, and (in some cities) using strong 3D building models for context.
4. ArcGIS Map Viewer (World Imagery) = clean, recent high-res + extra layers.
Best for: getting the clearest freely viewable basemap, and then adding layers (lots of hidden gems like this NZ aerial imagery).
Best for: getting the clearest freely viewable basemap, and then adding layers (lots of hidden gems like this NZ aerial imagery).
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
4. ArcGIS Map Viewer (World Imagery) = clean, recent high-res + extra layers.
Best for: getting the clearest freely viewable basemap, and then adding layers (lots of hidden gems like this NZ aerial imagery).
Best for: getting the clearest freely viewable basemap, and then adding layers (lots of hidden gems like this NZ aerial imagery).
3. Esri World Imagery Wayback = high-res comparisons.
Always click for the actual capture date, basemap dates can mislead you.
Always click for the actual capture date, basemap dates can mislead you.
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
3. Esri World Imagery Wayback = high-res comparisons.
Always click for the actual capture date, basemap dates can mislead you.
Always click for the actual capture date, basemap dates can mislead you.
2. Copernicus Browser = more than an image.
Best for: fires/burn scars, floods, drought, vegetation stress, smoke/haze context. Switch presets like SWIR, false colour, NDVI to reveal patterns you won’t see in normal colour imagery..
Best for: fires/burn scars, floods, drought, vegetation stress, smoke/haze context. Switch presets like SWIR, false colour, NDVI to reveal patterns you won’t see in normal colour imagery..
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
2. Copernicus Browser = more than an image.
Best for: fires/burn scars, floods, drought, vegetation stress, smoke/haze context. Switch presets like SWIR, false colour, NDVI to reveal patterns you won’t see in normal colour imagery..
Best for: fires/burn scars, floods, drought, vegetation stress, smoke/haze context. Switch presets like SWIR, false colour, NDVI to reveal patterns you won’t see in normal colour imagery..
1. Google Earth Pro = historical context.
Best for: “What did this place look like before?”
Use the historical imagery slider to spot change over time (damage, new builds, movement, land use).
Best for: “What did this place look like before?”
Use the historical imagery slider to spot change over time (damage, new builds, movement, land use).
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
1. Google Earth Pro = historical context.
Best for: “What did this place look like before?”
Use the historical imagery slider to spot change over time (damage, new builds, movement, land use).
Best for: “What did this place look like before?”
Use the historical imagery slider to spot change over time (damage, new builds, movement, land use).
Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above.
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above.
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
11. Flock Cameras
An impactful investigation by @404media.co and others showed how misconfigured surveillance feeds can end up exposed in the open internet. A brilliant YouTube video from @bennjordan.bsky.social covers this really well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
An impactful investigation by @404media.co and others showed how misconfigured surveillance feeds can end up exposed in the open internet. A brilliant YouTube video from @bennjordan.bsky.social covers this really well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers
YouTube video by Benn Jordan
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
11. Flock Cameras
An impactful investigation by @404media.co and others showed how misconfigured surveillance feeds can end up exposed in the open internet. A brilliant YouTube video from @bennjordan.bsky.social covers this really well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
An impactful investigation by @404media.co and others showed how misconfigured surveillance feeds can end up exposed in the open internet. A brilliant YouTube video from @bennjordan.bsky.social covers this really well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
10. FAS - A Guide to Satellite Imagery for the Nuclear Age
FAS' guide walks through disciplined imagery analysis using nuclear facilities. No tricks, just good thinking that scales.
fas.org/publication/...
FAS' guide walks through disciplined imagery analysis using nuclear facilities. No tricks, just good thinking that scales.
fas.org/publication/...
A Guide to Satellite Imagery Analysis for the Nuclear Age - Assessing China’s CFR-600 Reactor Facility - Federation of American Scientists
Satellite imagery has long served as a tool for observing on-the-ground activity worldwide, and offers especially valuable insights into the operation, development, and physical features related to nu...
fas.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
10. FAS - A Guide to Satellite Imagery for the Nuclear Age
FAS' guide walks through disciplined imagery analysis using nuclear facilities. No tricks, just good thinking that scales.
fas.org/publication/...
FAS' guide walks through disciplined imagery analysis using nuclear facilities. No tricks, just good thinking that scales.
fas.org/publication/...
9. AP - Hybrid War Map of Russian Sabotage
AP’s sabotage map linked to Russia shows why patterns matter more than single attributions. Clusters tell the story.
apnews.com/projects/rus...
AP’s sabotage map linked to Russia shows why patterns matter more than single attributions. Clusters tell the story.
apnews.com/projects/rus...
Russia wants to drain Europe's security resources with sabotage campaign, officials say | AP News
The Associated Press has tracked 145 cases of sabotage and disruption that Western officials blame on Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They say Moscow wants to drain Europe’s investigative r...
apnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
9. AP - Hybrid War Map of Russian Sabotage
AP’s sabotage map linked to Russia shows why patterns matter more than single attributions. Clusters tell the story.
apnews.com/projects/rus...
AP’s sabotage map linked to Russia shows why patterns matter more than single attributions. Clusters tell the story.
apnews.com/projects/rus...
8. Image Whisperer to Check AI Images
Another “is this AI?” tool. Useful for triage, not truth. Flags first, human checks always. imagewhisperer.org/about
Another “is this AI?” tool. Useful for triage, not truth. Flags first, human checks always. imagewhisperer.org/about
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
8. Image Whisperer to Check AI Images
Another “is this AI?” tool. Useful for triage, not truth. Flags first, human checks always. imagewhisperer.org/about
Another “is this AI?” tool. Useful for triage, not truth. Flags first, human checks always. imagewhisperer.org/about
7. No-Code Webscrapers for Journalists
GIJN's scraper guide shows scraping isn’t magic. It’s collect, clean, export. No Python required, just verification.
gijn.org/stories/how-...
GIJN's scraper guide shows scraping isn’t magic. It’s collect, clean, export. No Python required, just verification.
gijn.org/stories/how-...
How Non-Coding Journalists Can Build Web Scrapers With AI — Examples and Prompts Included
With basic web knowledge, guidance, and examples, even non-coding journalists can build a scraper with large language models.
gijn.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
7. No-Code Webscrapers for Journalists
GIJN's scraper guide shows scraping isn’t magic. It’s collect, clean, export. No Python required, just verification.
gijn.org/stories/how-...
GIJN's scraper guide shows scraping isn’t magic. It’s collect, clean, export. No Python required, just verification.
gijn.org/stories/how-...
6. WW2 War Map
Project ’44 maps 70,000+ WW2 unit locations. A serious campaign analysis tool, not just a history curiosity.
map.project44.ca
Project ’44 maps 70,000+ WW2 unit locations. A serious campaign analysis tool, not just a history curiosity.
map.project44.ca
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
6. WW2 War Map
Project ’44 maps 70,000+ WW2 unit locations. A serious campaign analysis tool, not just a history curiosity.
map.project44.ca
Project ’44 maps 70,000+ WW2 unit locations. A serious campaign analysis tool, not just a history curiosity.
map.project44.ca
5. Film locations: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
A Last Crusade scene geolocated to Almería, Spain. A reminder that old film stills can be remain a ripe group to test feature spotting and matching in geolocations. tinyurl.com/ms3adf47
A Last Crusade scene geolocated to Almería, Spain. A reminder that old film stills can be remain a ripe group to test feature spotting and matching in geolocations. tinyurl.com/ms3adf47
Historic Film Locations | "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (Indiana Jones y la última cruzada) | Facebook
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (Indiana Jones y la última cruzada).
Llano de Trujillo/Gádor (Almería).
tinyurl.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
5. Film locations: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
A Last Crusade scene geolocated to Almería, Spain. A reminder that old film stills can be remain a ripe group to test feature spotting and matching in geolocations. tinyurl.com/ms3adf47
A Last Crusade scene geolocated to Almería, Spain. A reminder that old film stills can be remain a ripe group to test feature spotting and matching in geolocations. tinyurl.com/ms3adf47
4. The Red Zone Map: drone attacks in Kherson, logged and filterable
@cen4infores.bsky.social' Red Zone map logs 300+ verified Russian drone attacks in Kherson. Filterable, transparent, and built for pattern-spotting, not headlines.
www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russ...
@cen4infores.bsky.social' Red Zone map logs 300+ verified Russian drone attacks in Kherson. Filterable, transparent, and built for pattern-spotting, not headlines.
www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russ...
The Red Zone Map: documenting Russian drone attacks in Kherson
Since early 2024, pro-Russian channels and occupying authorities in Kherson Oblast have declared a 60 km² “red zone,” placing civilians and civilian infrastructure at extreme risk. Since July 2024, CI...
www.info-res.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
4. The Red Zone Map: drone attacks in Kherson, logged and filterable
@cen4infores.bsky.social' Red Zone map logs 300+ verified Russian drone attacks in Kherson. Filterable, transparent, and built for pattern-spotting, not headlines.
www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russ...
@cen4infores.bsky.social' Red Zone map logs 300+ verified Russian drone attacks in Kherson. Filterable, transparent, and built for pattern-spotting, not headlines.
www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russ...
3. North Korea IT workers in US companies
Bloomberg shows how DPRK IT workers infiltrate US firms via “laptop farms.” One giveaway: the same office, same gear, visible daily on social media. Backgrounds matter. youtube.com/watch?v=-gjn...
Bloomberg shows how DPRK IT workers infiltrate US firms via “laptop farms.” One giveaway: the same office, same gear, visible daily on social media. Backgrounds matter. youtube.com/watch?v=-gjn...
How North Korea Hid an IT Workforce Inside US Companies | Bloomberg Investigates
YouTube video by Bloomberg Originals
youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:25 PM
3. North Korea IT workers in US companies
Bloomberg shows how DPRK IT workers infiltrate US firms via “laptop farms.” One giveaway: the same office, same gear, visible daily on social media. Backgrounds matter. youtube.com/watch?v=-gjn...
Bloomberg shows how DPRK IT workers infiltrate US firms via “laptop farms.” One giveaway: the same office, same gear, visible daily on social media. Backgrounds matter. youtube.com/watch?v=-gjn...