Gunpowder Chronicles is an independent, London-based platform owned and published by VX Media. Our mission is to deliver in-depth analysis and investigative reporting on global affairs, national security, and foreign policies, with a special emphasis on adversarial strategies targeting democratic values, human rights, and political liberties during times of war, political unrest, and armed conflicts.
Our current editorial focus is on Eastern Europe, a region at the heart of geopolitical tensions and power struggles. By closely observing and reporting on the forces at play, including the United States, Russia, China, and Europe, we aim to shed light on the complexities of governance, security, and human impact within this pivotal area.
About The Team
Freelance writer Michael Sheppard has been a key part of The Gunpowder Chronicles’ development since 2022 in his role as an editor. His wide array of experience and literary skill has been instrumental in enabling a small outlet like The Gunpowder Chronicles to maintain its commitment to high-quality research and writing while ensuring an engaging and prolific platform.
Fried Didden, a freelance writer and photographer, contributes to The Gunpowder Chronicles with his deep focus on human rights and the intersections of healthcare and politics. Traveling extensively through Eastern Europe, Fried brings a unique perspective shaped by his background in healthcare and his former role as a development director in the industry. His work explores the lasting scars of war, political turmoil, and the human cost of collective trauma. In addition to his contributions to The Gunpowder Chronicles, Fried runs his own independent publication, Borderlines, where he documents the fragile intersection of politics and human resilience.
Together, our team remains committed to delivering in-depth investigative journalism, shedding light on adversarial strategies that impact democratic values, human rights, and political liberties, particularly in regions affected by conflict and unrest.
About the Founder
Vudi Xhymshiti is an investigative journalist, war reporter, and foreign editor based in London, renowned for his fearless reporting on armed conflicts, political corruption, and global power struggles. With a career spanning over 18 years, he has covered some of the world’s most volatile regions, from the Arab Spring and Syria’s civil war to Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, and ongoing tensions in the Balkans.
As the founder and editor-in-chief of The Gunpowder Chronicles, Xhymshiti delivers in-depth investigative journalism, exposing corruption, disinformation warfare, and geopolitical manoeuvring that threaten democracy and human rights. His work has been seen in The New York Times, The Guardian, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, and La Repubblica, among many others. He has also contributed to global broadcasters such as BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, AP, AFP, and Reuters.
Expertise & Investigative Focus
Xhymshiti specialises in uncovering political corruption, state-backed propaganda, and foreign interference, with a particular focus on Russian and Serbian disinformation campaigns in Eastern Europe. His reporting has shed light on high-level corruption within Kosovo’s political elite, organised crime networks, and the role of Western and Russian-backed actors in destabilising the region. His investigations have exposed the criminal-political nexus in Kosovo, detailing assassination plots, disinformation warfare, and attempts to manipulate democratic processes for personal and foreign interests.
His latest investigations have revealed Richard Grenell’s connections to Russian-affiliated operatives and documented allegations of foreign influence in Kosovo’s judiciary, media, and political system. His work has led to widespread public and diplomatic scrutiny, influencing regional policy discussions and media narratives.
Journalistic Integrity & Mission
Through Gunpowder Chronicles and The Profiler Magazine, Xhymshiti provides uncompromising journalism that challenges power and exposes the hidden machinations of political elites and foreign actors. He is committed to truth, accountability, and investigative depth, producing reports that inform and empower the public while holding those in power to account.
Academic Background & Recognitions
Xhymshiti holds Master’s degrees in International Relations and Diplomacy, and Photojournalism from the University of the Arts London (UAL) and Columbia Journalism School (CSJ). He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Westminster, focusing on Russian disinformation warfare and its role in political conflicts, particularly in the Balkans.
He has earned over 13 HEFAT certifications (Hostile Environment & First Aid Training), enabling him to report from high-risk conflict zones worldwide. His investigative journalism and conflict reporting have made him a respected authority in international political analysis and war correspondence.
Support Independent Journalism
If you value fearless investigative reporting, consider supporting our work through donations or a paid subscription. Your contribution ensures that stories like these reach the public, unfiltered and untwisted.
☑ Donate | ☑ Subscribe | Facebook | X | IG | ☑ 🇦🇱 SPOTLIGHT |
