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Nationalization spree Members Public

Hello! This week we focus on the economic consequences for Russia of Western sanctions amid the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. In particular, we look at how a swathe of foreign-owned businesses look set to be nationalized, the crisis in Russia’s aviation industry, a looming default, and a growing list

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Emigration & economic collapse Members Public

Hello! This week we continue to look at the economic and political fallout for Russia — and Russians — of the fighting in Ukraine. The four stories we focus on are: the emigration of journalists, IT specialists and other professionals; the collapse of the ruble after Western sanctions on the Central Bank;

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Russian economy reels amid Ukraine invasion, sanctions Members Public

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered political unrest and economic pain in Russia. And the country is being isolated by Western sanctions. After four days of fighting in Ukraine, we look at the major political and economic fallout for Russia. Reaction to war Publicly, there have been almost no

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Everything changed Members Public

Hello! This week, Russia invaded Ukraine. Like most others in Russia, we doubted President Vladimir Putin would actually take such a momentous step — but he did. It will lead to enormous bloodshed, and have far-reaching political and economic consequences. The military situation in Ukraine is fast-moving and, as we do

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War clouds gather over Ukraine Members Public

Russians have been following the course of events in Ukraine with bewilderment. As before, few believe a real war will break out. However, the level of tension is making even the most hardened skeptics nervous. And the role of Western media has become a cause of concern: deliberately or otherwise,

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Figure skating scandals dominate Russia’s Winter Olympics Members Public

Unlike the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which was remembered for open homophobia on Russian state-owned television, the Winter Olympics in Beijing produced genuine sporting drama. But, once again, the Russian team was the subject of serious doping allegations. Rivalry, tears — and trimetazidine Russia’s figure skaters won the team event

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Russia lags behind in push for electric vehicles Members Public

Sales of electric vehicles are increasing rapidly all over the world with the pandemic merely accelerating this trend. In an investigation published Monday, The Bell looked at whether Russia can catch up with the pacesetters of ‘electrification’. Even though the Russian government announced ambitious plans last year, the country’s

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Information war Members Public

Hello! This week our top story is about the unabated tensions over Ukraine and the rising casualties of a bitter ‘information war’. We also look at the doping allegations and rivalries in figure skating that have blighted Russia’s Winter Olympics, and why Russia is falling behind when it comes

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Invasion week? Members Public

Hello! This week our top story is the fever-pitch speculation about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine and why many Russian experts remain skeptical that a large-scale military conflict is imminent. We also look at the latest moves in the Kremlin’s bid to tighten control over the internet, how

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Despite US warnings, Ukraine invasion still seen as unlikely Members Public

Fears Russia is about to launch an invasion of Ukraine reached fever-pitch this weekend as the current crisis approached a moment of truth. No-one can say with any certainty what will happen Wednesday — the date of an attack reportedly given by U.S. President Joe Biden — but most independent Russian

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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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