The 2010s in review: stagnation, crackdown and a stock market surge PRO Members Public
The 2010s in Russia began with hopes for economic growth, but ended in stagnation. In this special newsletter, we highlight the major changes that took place in the economy, politics, the stock market, relations with the West and the internet. The economy: achieving stagnation President Vladimir Putin likes to claim
Putin’s Poland obsession PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story is on why President Vladimir Putin has become fixated on Poland’s role in the events leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War. We also look at a new wave of pressure on opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and why the biggest
Putin alludes to power handover plan for 2024 PRO Members Public
Putin alludes to power handover plan for 2024 Hello! This week our top story is about Putin’s remarks on changes to the political system, which many have interpreted as illuminating current Kremlin thinking about a power handover in 2024. We also look at the attack on the headquarters of
Corporate raiding scandal engulfs Russian internet pioneer PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story is about a corporate raiding scandal that has broken out between a Russian internet pioneer and, allegedly, a billionaire arts patron. We also look at Putin’s recent meetings with the Ukrainian and Belarusian leaders, how ex-Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov will be remembered after
Jetting into trouble PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is on revelations about how Russia’s political elite uses private jets and why this caused a spat between opposition leader Alexei Navalny and major media outlets. We also tell the tale of a pro-Kremlin youth movement leader who emigrated to Germany; have a
Romanticism, nostalgia, regret: why are Russians discussing the 1990s? PRO Members Public
Romanticism, nostalgia, regret: why are Russians discussing the 1990s? The 1990s are a deeply divisive topic for most Russians: for some it is a reminder of economic disaster, for others it represents opportunity and political freedom. Either way, debates about the decade have intensified in recent years — and parallels are
Russia expands use of ‘foreign agent’ label PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is an explanation of a new ‘foreign agent’ law that could be applied to thousands of ordinary Russians. We also look at the deal internet giant Yandex struck with the Kremlin, the highlights of The Bell’s investigation into Orthodox tycoon Konstantin Malofeev, a
Russia’s ‘Orthodox tycoon’ is bankrolling a monarchist movement — but where does he get his money? PRO Members Public
Konstantin Malofeev rose to fame in Russia’s corporate wars of the late 2000s. He became one of the most powerful people in telecommunications, but the devoutly Orthodox tycoon almost lost everything in a bitter dispute with state-owned bank VTB. In 2014, he was sanctioned by the West for providing
Aeroflot unfazed by fat cat firestorm PRO Members Public
Hello! This week, our top story is on a fat cat and why PR works differently for companies like Aeroflot. We also look at the comedian beloved by state television who suddenly decided to criticize Putin, the top officials who could be linked to the 2014 downing of Malaysian airlines
Kremlin piles pressure on Apple PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about new legislation moving swiftly through the State Duma that could lead to Apple quitting Russia. We also look at how rich Russians are having their Cypriot citizenship revoked, what is driving the stock market’s record-breaking bull run, why independent TV network
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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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