Russia marks 30th anniversary of failed coup that doomed the USSR Paid Members Public
There were no official ceremonies or big public speeches to mark the 30th anniversary last week of the attempted coup by Communist hardliners that was defeated by Russian democrats in the dying days of the Soviet Union. An epoch-defining event that saw tanks on the streets of Moscow, the failed
Mass walkout in shareholder tussle over Natura Siberica Paid Members Public
Just seven months after the death of cosmetics tycoon Andrei Trubnikov, his company Natura Siberica has been engulfed by a shareholder conflict that has led to chaos. Employees last week accused new management of unlawfully seizing control and quit in droves. There are also reports that billionaires — including Oleg Deripaska
Russia and the Taliban Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about how Russia established a new relationship with the Taliban despite decades of mutual animosity. We also look at a mass walkout at eco-cosmetics company Natura Siberica, why there was little commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the failed coup that led to
How Russia will remember the Tokyo Olympics Paid Members Public
The 2021 Olympics was less of a sporting contest for Russia — more of a political bunfight. One poll before the Games showed 97 percent of Russians couldn’t name a single Russian athlete. Instead, the competition will be remembered for the naked homophobia on state-owned television, contentious refereeing in rhythmic
Belarus – one year on from disputed elections Paid Members Public
Last Monday marked one year since Belarusian presidential elections that almost ended the 25-year career of President Alexander Lukashenko. The vote was followed by mass protests and an ongoing police crackdown. During the initial protests, one of the opposition leaders, Maria Kolesnikova, told The Bell, that either the opposition would
‘Lukashenko is delaying any resolution of the crisis’ — an interview with Belarus expert Artyom Shraibman Paid Members Public
To mark the anniversary of the start of the Belarusian protests, The Bell spoke to Belarusian political analyst Artyom Shraibman (who recently fled the country due to threats) about why protests failed, the role of Russia and what awaits: Q: How could the situation in Belarus develop? A: There are
Siberian forest fires spotlight Russia’s carbon emissions Paid Members Public
As a major supplier of fossil fuels, Russia has a big role to play in attempts to reduce the world’s carbon footprint. But there are few signs of progress. The record-breaking forest fires currently burning out of control in Siberia have highlighted how Russia not only exports huge amounts
Olympian homophobia Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is a round-up of Russia’s Olympics, from state-sanctioned homophobia to apparent progress on eradicating doping. We also look at Belarus a year on from the beginning of its political crisis, publish an interview with a leading Belarus expert about the country’s future
