Navalny’s birthday ignites fresh discord within Russia’s fragmented opposition Paid Members Public
Anti-war and anti-Putin protesters became further entangled in internal conflicts as they sought to mark Alexei Navalny’s birthday with rallies in his support. Navalny is currently serving an 11-year jail term for fraud and contempt of court, charges which human rights activists claim were politically motivated. However, calls for
The Kremlin keeps mum about recent attacks against the Belgorod region Paid Members Public
The little-known town of Shebekino — home to some 40,000 people and located near Russia’s southwestern border with Ukraine — made headlines last week following an armed incursion by anti-Kremlin Russian paramilitary groups. But the war had already come to this town some time ago. After Ukrainian forces fully regained
THE BELL WEEKLY: Belgorod left to fend Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about recent attacks on Russia’s Belgorod region and the federal authorities’ reluctance to comment on the increasingly chaotic situation there. Then we turn to recent infighting among Russia’s opposition over protests in support of jailed activist Alexei Navalny. And finally, we
Why are the shares of stock market darling Magnit heading for junk? Paid Members Public
One of Russia’s top two retailers, Magnit, has always been one of the most popular stocks among investors in Russia. But this week, it was relegated from the top tier of the Moscow Exchange securities — entering in its third tier — after violating exchange rules. Investors suspect the company of
Erdogan won Turkey’s presidential election. What does this mean for the future of Russo-Turkish relations? Paid Members Public
It was close, but Turkey’s incumbent president Recep Erdogan secured 52% of the vote in the second round of presidential elections over the weekend. Moscow, which openly supported Erdogan, made no secret of its satisfaction with the outcome. We have written in detail about why the Kremlin supports Erdogan
Pro-Ukraine Russian nationalists are becoming a problem for the Kremlin Paid Members Public
Last week’s top story was an attack on the Belgorod region by anti-Kremlin Russian fighters backed by Ukraine. Russia’s Armed Forces spent a day-and-a-half repelling the raids in what was the most serious incursion into Russian territory since the war began. Unlike similar raids, this one could not
THE BELL WEEKLY: Border troubles Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is the armed incursion in the Belgorod region by anti-Kremlin Russian nationalist fighters. We then turn to Erdogan’s victory in the Turkish presidential election over the weekend and discuss what implications it might have for Russia. Finally, we look at the recent drop
'What civil society can do is limited': Timur Kuran on Turkey’s Elections and Lessons for Russia Paid Members Public
The debate over the trustworthiness of opinion polls in authoritarian countries like Russia has intensified following the invasion of Ukraine. Opinion polls, including those conducted by the Levada Center — an independent organization labeled a “foreign agent” by the Russian authorities — indicate approval for the war remains strong even over a
