Serbia unfriends Zakharova in ‘Basic Instinct’ Facebook row PRO Members Public
There was a certain inevitability about a diplomatic scandal that erupted this week when a mocking Facebook post by Russia’s freewheeling Foreign Ministry spokeswoman caused outrage in Serbia — a close ally. President Vladimir Putin himself was forced to make a personal apology to smooth over the row and keep
Beyond PR: how Tatiana Bakalchuk really created the ‘Russian Amazon PRO Members Public
Mother of four and former English teacher Tatiana Bakalchuk has set-up a Russian version of Amazon. She triumphed where many could not: both Sberbank, Russia’s biggest bank, and Yandex, the ‘Russian Google’ failed to replicate the success of the U.S. online retail giant. All the reporting on Bakalchuk
Why Navalny’s poisoning didn’t lead to street protests PRO Members Public
There’s been little change in opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s condition this week. He remains in an induced coma on a ventilator after being taken ill in what almost everyone believes to be a case of poisoning. He is now being treated in a German hospital. Despite the dramatic
The future of Belarus’ IT sector hangs in balance amid protests PRO Members Public
Tens of thousands of people protested Sunday across Belarus against President Alexander Lukashenko, the third consecutive week of demonstrations following heavily rigged elections. The country’s IT sector — famous for nurturing companies like World of Tanks and Viber — has traditionally kept out of politics, but they are now openly supporting
Navalny and Novichok PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we just have one story, which overshadowed all the other Russian news: the momentous announcement that opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent. We look at what we know, why it happened now, who ordered it, and the likely consequences. Russia crosses rubicon
Techies on the barricades PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is a deep-dive into how the famous Belarusian IT sector is reacting to ongoing protests against President Alexander Lukasehnko. We also look at why the poisoning of Alexei Navalny has not led to an outcry, and investigate the rise of billionaire Tatiana Bakalchuk, who
Navalny in critical condition after suspected poisoning PRO Members Public
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is seriously ill after being poisoned on his way home from a trip to Siberia. The poisoning appears to be deliberate. There is no suspect at the moment, but we will look at who might have the capability and motive to do such a thing.
Protests escalate in Belarus amid police violence PRO Members Public
The news in Russia this week has been completely dominated by events in neighboring Belarus. Following a rigged election, protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the 26-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko. They faced a brutal police crackdown, but continue to defy the authorities. For Russian officials, this
Belarus on the brink PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is the wave of demonstrations over fraudulent elections in Belarus that appear to be getting bigger with each passing day. We also look in detail at Nexta Live, the Telegram Channel at the heart of the Belarusian protests, and at the announcement that Russia
Why the Belarusian presidential elections matter for Russia PRO Members Public
The most unpredictable presidential election in Belarus in 25 years will take place Sunday. In recent days, thousands have turned out to opposition rallies despite threats by the authorities to use force. Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko has also gone all-out to secure victory, even attacking Putin in a two-hour interview
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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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