For the first time, a comprehensive look on the blurring strategy of Russian use of pixel porridge to cloak locations!

We developed our own home-grown algorithm to locate the blurs, and it works really well. Now we have a good theory on why Russia is so eager to blur.

Matt Korda and Julie Udal share great insight into the enigmatic selection of blurred sites.

And who would’ve thought there was such a clear link to the secret Order 138?

Great reporting by Inghild Eriksen Simon Krona Kaur Maran and beautiful graphics and maps by Frida Annette Strømme, Johannes Odland and Bjørnar Dervo.

>The prosecutor argued that keeping the satellite images freely available on Yandex Map makes the refinery «extremely vulnerable to enemy attack».

>Still, the Ryazan oil refinery has been hit by drones 11 times since it was blurred.

heh.