For years, Bulgarian journalist Hristo Grozev has investigated the shadowy world of Russian espionage. Now, the man known as “the Sherlock Holmes of our time” finds himself the target of a deadly manhunt ordered by the Kremlin.
As reported by Digi24, Grozev became enemy number one after exposing the agents behind the poisonings of Alexei Navalny and Sergei Skripal. His work with Bellingcat, an open-source investigative collective, uncovered critical evidence linking the Kremlin to operations across Europe. But in early 2023, Grozev learned that Russian assassins were plotting to kill him—possibly with a sledgehammer.
A Dark Turn in the Spy Game
According to Grozev, the threats intensified during the filming of Antidote, a documentary by director James Jones. The film originally set out to document the inner workings of Russian spy networks, but evolved into a harrowing account of the real-life dangers faced by those who challenge Moscow’s power.
Many of the would-be assassins trailing Grozev weren’t trained intelligence agents but rather criminals hired to carry out brutal missions. Messages intercepted by Grozev revealed sinister plots, including kidnapping, torture in Syria, and even using a suicide bomber disguised as a civilian. “Their imagination exceeded anything I’ve seen in fiction,” he said.
A Personal Cost
Grozev's pursuit of truth has come at great personal risk. His family became a target, and shortly after being warned of the threat, his father—who had been tracked by Russian agents—died under suspicious circumstances. While the official cause was deemed natural, the timing raised red flags.
Despite the threats, Grozev remains undeterred. His mission to expose Russia’s covert operations has only deepened. “He was the only one truly proud of what I did,” Grozev said of his father. “Now, it’s more than work. It’s personal.”
