TV ads and social networks urge Russian men to enlist Paid Members Public
The Russian authorities have launched a new recruitment campaign for contract soldiers in recent weeks. According to media sources, the Defense Ministry wants to call up 400,000 fighting men. It’s an ambitious plan. Before the war, Russia’s entire army totaled 400,000 troops. The new recruitment drive
THE BELL WEEKLY: Army recruitment drive Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about an enormous military recruitment drive in Russia seeking to attract hundreds of thousands of soldiers. We also look at reports that the children of the Russian elite are fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine and another spat between different factions of Russia’
THE BELL WEEKLY: Digital gulag Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we focus on Russia’s new law tightening military draft procedures that establishes a new database that many believe amounts to a “digital gulag.” Russia takes a major step toward full militarization, online control Beneath a veil of secrecy, lawmakers last week rammed legislation through the State
Security officer who fled Russia tells of Putin’s growing isolation Paid Members Public
Dossier, an investigative center linked to former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, last week published an interview with a captain in the Federal Guards Service (FSO) who fled abroad in protest at the war. Gleb Karakulov served for 13 years in the FSO, which is responsible for the president’s
High-ranking Russian officials face travel ban Paid Members Public
Since the war started, Russian officials and employees of state-owned companies have found it difficult to travel. The reason is not only Western sanctions, even though these have affected many. Instead, Russian officials and employees at state-run organizations have been subjected to stringent new travel restrictions. * Recent changes mean that
The ruble suffers its worst week of 2023 Paid Members Public
Just under a year ago, the Russian ruble was named the best performing currency in the world. As a result of currency controls introduced by the Russian authorities and a sharp drop in import volumes, it rose in value after the invasion of Ukraine to levels not seen since 2014.
THE BELL WEEKLY: Ruble woes Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the falling Russian ruble, which last week saw its worst-performing week this year. We also look at why many Russian officials are now blocked from traveling abroad and the defection of a high-ranking security officer who was involved in protecting President Vladimir
Russia continues to toy with Stalinist practice of putting convicts to work Paid Members Public
The Federal Prison Service (FSIN) is revisiting a 2017 idea to send prisoners to work for defense conglomerate Rostec, which manages most of Russia’s military factories. Convicts are unlikely to be used in the assembling of missiles and aircraft, but could be given other, less skilled roles, sources told
