Sberbank wants your personal data PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about how state-owned banking giant Sberbank’s acquisition of a stake in a major internet company will give it even more access to the personal data of ordinary Russians. We also look at the ‘sovereign internet’ law that came into force Friday, a
Africa in the Kremlin’s sights PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we explain how Russia wants to expand its presence in Africa after a major summit between Putin and African leaders. We also look at the recent appointment of a hawkish ex-TV host to Russia’s Human Rights Council, how the wife of Yuri Kovalchuk, a close personal
Top officials invited to Paris to testify in $12 bln case "Sergei Pugachev VS Russia" PRO Members Public
Audit Chamber head Aleksei Kudrin, chairman of Gazprom’s board of directors Viktor Zubkov and investment banker Oksana Reinhardt have been invited to testify in a case filed by former billionaire Sergei Pugachev, once a member of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, against the Russian Federation in Paris. The
Pavel Durov tangles with US regulators PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we examine the travails of Russian internet whizz kid Pavel Durov’s new cryptocurrency, Gram, which has been blocked by the U.S. regulator. We also look at Russia’s conflicting messages on climate change; the top officials summoned to testify at a $12 billion case against
Oligarchs still alive & kicking PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we take a look at the oligarch lobby, which showed its fangs over a plan to overhaul tax residency rules. We also explain how a package of restrictive internet laws is inching closer to realisation; why some journalists objected to a New York Times article about Russian
One to watch: Rostec’s Sergei Chemezov makes political waves PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is on Sergei Chemezov, the influential head of state conglomerate Rostec whose political star appears to be on the rise. We also look at: why Putin’s eldest daughter is in top-level meetings on genetically engineering humans; Russia’s latest attempt to compete with
Business owners at risk as FSB ignores Putin’s promises PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story charts how businesses could be stung for trusting the President’s pledges over a tax amnesty. We also look at growing investor nerves ahead of Russia’s biggest ever blockchain launch, how the Kremlin’s censors are turning against their own, more mega profits
Kremlin insiders speak out over jailed actor PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story explains why Kremlin heavyweights spoke out over the jailing of actor Pavel Ustinov (who was freed Friday). We also examine the star-studded guest list at the wedding of former presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak, have details of The Bell’s analysis of major businessmen currently
Did a U.S. spy in the Kremlin have a role in Russian election meddling? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story is the Russian angle on the tale of the U.S. spy in the Kremlin who many think betrayed some very big secrets. We also look at why Navalny’s voting strategy brought opposition success at last weekend’s elections in Moscow, how star
Stakes keep rising ahead of Moscow city elections PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we take a deep dive into the political situation in Moscow ahead of local elections Sunday that could have consequences way beyond their size. We also look at why the 15th anniversary of the Beslan terrorist attack has generated such interest, new data showing how fast Moscow’
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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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