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29 November 2022
CAPA Group, Alexandra Jousset and Ksenia Bolchakova the directors of the film “Wagner, Putin’s shadow army” win the Albert London Prize

CAPA’s teams are proud of the Albert Londres 2022 prize awarded to Alexandra Jousset and Ksenia Bolchakova for their investigation into the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

This distinction, the most prestigious in French journalism, is the result of a long-term investigation carried out under particularly difficult conditions in Russia and Africa.

Alexandra and Ksenia plunged into the heart of Vladimir Putin’s secret army. Never before has this private military company, acting on the field as well as in the manipulation of opinions, been decoded.

“It was a childhood dream… It is an immense joy, an absolute pride to receive this award alongside Alexandra. In my home country, Russia, information is used as a weapon. Disinformation kills. With the war against Ukraine, harsh censorship is back.  Journalists are threatened, thrown in jail, sometimes murdered. We must continue to investigate, to stand up to the camp of lies and state propaganda. Thank you to the London jury for reminding us of this every year. Ksenia Bolchakova, director of Wagner, Putin’s Shadow Army

“It is a great honor to receive this award. Today I think of all those who helped us make this film, fixers and local journalists, who risked their lives to get the truth about Wagner out. The work of investigation is perilous, long and expensive. Thank you to France Télévisions for supporting us. At a time when the licence fee is coming to an end, the public service has an essential role to play in investigative journalism and freedom of the press. Alexandra Jousset, director of Wagner, Putin’s Shadow Army

For Patrice Lorton, CAPA’s managing editor, “Alexandra and Ksenia embody the very spirit of investigative journalism: a total commitment to serving the public interest. With this film, made at the right time, they have done a useful job.

For Benoît Thevenet, Newen’s Director of Documentary and Magazines, “Investigation and major reporting remain CAPA’s DNA. Faithful to its reputation for rigor, the company carries the colors of documentary high within the Newen group.

This is the 5th time* that CAPA, through the work of its journalists and directors, has been awarded the Albert Londres Prize.

 

Wagner, Putin’s shadow army, was broadcasted on France 5.

Producer: Amandine Chambelland

Directors: Alexandra Jousset and Ksenia Bolchakova.

 

*The Albert Londres Prize has already been awarded to CAPA in:

  • 2020 : Sylvain Louvet and Ludovic Gaillard for Tous surveillés, 7 milliards de suspects (Arte)
  • 2006 : Manon Loizeau and Alexis Marant for La malédiction de naître fille (Arte)
  • 1995 : Marie-Monique Robin for Voleurs d’yeux (France Télévisions)
  • 1990 : Gilles de Maistre for J’ai 12 ans et je fais la guerre (Canal Plus)