The Bell

Russia’s authorities seek to label LGBT+ movement as “extremist” Members Public

The Russian authorities stepped up their relentless campaign against the LGBT+ community last week as the justice ministry asked the Supreme Court to recognize the “International LGBT Social Movement” as “extremist” and ban it in Russia. Since there is no single organization that goes by that name, the move is

The Bell
Politics

Back to the pandemic — Russian stats body delays bad news publications Members Public

Rosstat, Russia’s statistics agency, appears to be reverting to its pandemic-era practice of delaying the publication of statistical reports. Last week, Rosstat withheld the release of its latest socio-economic report which included information on soaring inflation levels across the country, until well into the evening. * Last week, Rosstat delayed

The Bell
Economy

The latest travails of the Alfa Group owners: Detained in France, forgiven in Russia Members Public

The co-owners of Alfa Group, one of Russia’s largest business groups, have been held in disgrace in the West since the invasion of Ukraine — a point of view cemented by them being added to, and not removed from, various sanctions lists. Last year, British police searched properties belonging to

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Business

Islamic fundamentalism and the antisemitic airport riot in Dagestan Members Public

The recent riot at Makhachkala airport, which involved 1,500 people chanting antisemitic slogans and waving Palestinian flags, continues to be a major topic in Russian-language media eight days on. The Bell has looked into how anonymous Telegram channels orchestrated the events that led to a mob storming the airport

The Bell
Politics

THE BELL WEEKLY: Islamist links to antisemitic airport riot? Members Public

Hello! This week The Bell looks at the possible links between the riot at Dagestan’s airport and a radical Islamist movement. We also highlight the latest twists in the saga of the sanctioned Alfa Group founders, and how Russia’s stats body is returning to its favourite pandemic-era habit:

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Newsletters

Russia’s authorities are talking about blocking WhatsApp. What would this mean in reality? Members Public

For the first time in 18 months of war, Russian authorities alarmedWhatsApp users with talk of blocking the popular messaging app. Along with YouTube, it is one of two international services that the Kremlin has long wished to switch off, but fears a public backlash too much to follow through.

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Politics

EU bans Russian-registered cars while lifting sanctions on the oligarch who helped Putin’s friends seize the media Members Public

The EU’s sanctions policy continues to throw up paradoxes. Following last week’s scandal around the confiscation of personal items that Russians bring into Europe, the EU confirmed a ban on driving Russian-registered vehicles into its member states. At the same time, the European Commission lifted sanctions on three

The Bell
Politics

THE BELL WEEKLY: The Sanctions Paradox Members Public

Hello! Before we get down to the news, another announcement: For the past year, The Moscow Times has been our partner in this newsletter. But starting this fall, we have made the decision to develop our products separately. Nothing will change for you — you will continue to receive this newsletter

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Newsletters
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