Boosting state capitalism PRO Members Public
Hello! Our top story this week is a look at a series of proposals to promote ‘state capitalism’ that reveal how little officials are bothered about the free market. We also look at whether Russia’s driverless vehicles can be internationally competitive, and the revelations from two new blockbuster investigations
Sputnik V in trouble PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is on Russia’s efforts to roll out its COVID-19 vaccine and ‘beat the West’ in Cold War-style one upmanship. We also look at political veteran Anatoly Chubais’ new role as the Kremlin’s international point-man on climate change, and the life story of
Millionaire's daughter has 'phenomenal resemblance' to Putin PRO Members Public
Investigative media outlet Proekt published an article Wednesday that claimed to have found a woman romantically linked to Putin whose daughter bears a “phenomenal resemblance” to the president. Svetlana Krivonogikh also apparently has assets worth up to $100 million, and ihas a stake in Bank Rossiya that belongs to Putin’
Top official implicated in corruption scam with FSB links PRO Members Public
The Russian banking sector was rocked by the arrest of several high-ranking FSB officers last year who covered up a bribery scandal (as reported by The Bell and investigative outlet Proekt). This week, we learned of yet another player in the scam — the deputy head of state-owned Deposit Insurance Agency
IPO success for Russian e-commerce giant Ozon PRO Members Public
It’s rare that Russia’s top business story is good news. But that’s what happened this week with the long-awaited New York IPO of Russian online retailer Ozon. Not only did the company price the deal above initial guidance, but shares rose by 40 percent in early trading.
Ozon triumphs in New York PRO Members Public
Hello! Our main story this week is the runaway success of Russian e-commerce giant Ozon’s IPO, which raised $1 billion. We also look at revelations about a huge corruption scheme that spread its tentacles through the banking system, and an article claiming to have identified Putin’s former lover,
AI to keep officials in check PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the latest tech fad at the heart of government: tracking officials using AI. We also look at reports that Russia is considering implementing a ‘golden passport’ scheme, and the U.K. electric vehicle start-up founded by a ex-Russian official that is heading
Caucasus power broker PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about Russia’s role in negotiating a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ending over 40 days of bloody fighting. We also look at why state-owned bank Sber is on the verge of losing yet another major tech partner, and the soccer player
Production problems hamper Russian vaccine roll-out PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the difficulties plaguing Russia’s attempt to roll out a mass coronavirus vaccination programme. We also look at how Kremlin propaganda is spinning the U.S. presidential election, and why you should be skeptical about oddly-sourced stories alleging Putin is suffering from
Profiting from poverty PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is the rapid spread of discount stores as economic woes make Russians progressively poorer. We also look at the likely endgame in the criminal case against U.S. investor Michael Calvey and revelations about the bizarre sourcing of the 2016 ‘Steele dossier’ that alleged
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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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