Russia’s authorities squeeze exiled critics’ income Paid Members Public
The authorities are looking to strip income for Russians who criticize the Ukraine invasion from abroad. For celebrities and artists, that means no more royalty payments, while for others it could mean halting any income they get from renting out property. * Many prominent Russian artists who left the country after
Russia’s reaction to the prospect of ATACMS strikes Paid Members Public
The news that the United States will allow Ukraine to use its missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory was an unpleasant surprise for Russia’s leaders on Sunday evening. It is by no means certain that it will hand Ukrainian forces a significant advantage on the battlefield, but Vladimir
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin fury at US green light on Ukraine missiles Paid Members Public
This week we look at how Moscow has reacted to the United States giving Ukraine permission to use its long-range missiles for strikes on Russian territory. We also cover new steps the regime is taking to squeeze the income of Kremlin critics abroad. Russia’s reaction to the prospect of
Calls for childless tax Paid Members Public
Weeks after advancing a bill to ban “childfree ideology,” several Russian figures have started calling for a tax to be introduced on couples that do not have children. It is the latest proposal that advocates say will address the country’s war-related demographic problems and fits into a deepening conservative
Russia boosts army sign-up bonuses amid escalating frontline losses Paid Members Public
After the unpleasant experience with forcibly calling up army reservists in the 2022 “partial mobilization” drive, the Kremlin has since gone into overdrive to convince people to sign-up as contract soldiers for the invasion of Ukraine. The recruitment of “volunteers” (those who sign-up specifically to take part in the war
THE BELL WEEKLY: The mounting costs of Russia’s army recruitment Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we look at Russia ramping up spending to lure soldiers for its war on Ukraine. We also highlight calls for a tax on couples who choose not to have children. Russia boosts army sign-up bonuses amid escalating frontline losses After the unpleasant experience with forcibly calling up
Russian opposition figure killed fighting for Ukraine Paid Members Public
Russian opposition activist Ildar Dadin was killed fighting for the Ukrainian army. Dadin achieved widespread notoriety after being convicted of unlawful behavior at rallies. After becoming disillusioned with non-violent protest, he joined the Ukrainian Army in 2023 to fight against Russia. * Dadin was the first Russian to be convicted under
Mass layoff of Russian IT staff spooks emigrants Paid Members Public
A round of mass layoffs at ABBYY, the IT company founded by David Yang, a businessman with Russian roots, was one of the big stories in the Russian business world last week. The firings affected only the offices in Cyprus, Serbia and Hungary. Russian citizens were featured heavily among those
