Putin allows the nationalization of Russia’s largest Western-owned consumer companies PRO Members Public
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that transferred the shares of foreign shareholders to the “temporary control” of Rosimushchestvo, the agency responsible for state property. The decree affects the Baltika brewery, which is 100% owned by Denmark’s Carlsberg, and dairy firm Danone Rossiya, which is owned by France'
Coca-Cola quit Russia, but you can still find it on the country's shelves. How? PRO Members Public
Coca-Cola announced it was leaving the Russian market back in March 2022 as part of the global response to the invasion of Ukraine. Coca-Cola HBC, the Greek-owned company that bottled and sold Coke in Russia, switched to a new brand, Dobry Cola. Yet the U.S. soft drink giant remains
THE BELL WEEKLY: How Coca-Cola quit Russia, but stayed on the country's shelves PRO Members Public
Hello! This week, in our main story we explain how Coca-Cola remained the second most popular soda brand in Russia even after The Coca Cola Company has ceased operations in the country. We also look at the nationalization of the largest Western-owned consumer companies and witness the signs of inflation
Is Russia dying out? Our interview with a demographer PRO Members Public
Following the U.S.S.R.'s dissolution, Russia's population decline became an acute economic problem. Putin turned the "demographic solution" into his most important PR triumph. Yet the demographic crisis has resurfaced due to the pandemic and Ukraine's invasion. We spoke with
Russian vehicles seized in Germany PRO Members Public
A new challenge has arisen for Russians in Europe. Germany, a favored destination for Russians fleeing their home country, has started to arrest the vehicles of Russian immigrants. Although this measure is unlikely to have any direct impact those evading sanctions, it creates new hurdles for those who have the
Russian ruble plummets amid Prigozhin rebellion PRO Members Public
The Russian ruble has nose-dived in response to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion, accelerating its gradual depreciation since the end of last year. In the two weeks since June 24, the ruble fell 12% against the dollar and surpassed the symbolic 100 ruble per euro mark. The current exchange rates hark
THE BELL WEEKLY: Russian ruble woes PRO Members Public
Hello! This week, our main story is about the ruble's downturn amid Prigozhin’s mutiny. We also look at a new challenge for Russians in Germany, and we talk with demographer about whether Russia is dying out. Russian ruble plummets amid Prigozhin rebellion The Russian ruble has nose-dived
The collapsing ruble is a headache for the Kremlin PRO Members Public
Hello! This is your weekly guide to the Russian economy — prepared and brought to you by The Bell. In this newsletter we focus on why the Russian currency is on a rollercoaster and what political consequences it may have. We also look at how the government might be able to
“Prigozhin’s political ambitions were obvious – and he had to be eliminated.” Political scientist Grigory Golosov talks about Wagner’s mutiny and its consequences PRO Members Public
Prigozhin’s mutiny has left many unanswered questions, leading The Bell to consult Russian political scientist Grigory Golosov for insight into its political implications. * Contrary to what many Western commentators say, Golosov argues that Wagner’s mutiny is not a "crushing blow" for Putin. Instead, Golosov suggests that
Bacardi breaks its promise to end trade with Russia, sees profits triple PRO Members Public
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, alcohol manufacturer Bacardi International announced that it would stop exporting its alcoholic beverages to Russia and freeze investment and promotion programs. However, over the past year, Bacardi's Russian subsidiary has experienced a threefold increase in profits. * In March of
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The Bell was founded in 2017 by journalists Elizaveta Osetinskaya, Irina Malkova and Peter Mironenko as a news outlet independent from the Russian authorities, after its founders have been sacked as top editors at the largest Russian news website RBC because of pressure from the Kremlin.
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