The Ukraine war means Russia needs a digital ruble more than ever Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is Russia’s digital ruble and why it could be of significant use to the Kremlin while it wages its brutal war in Ukraine. We also look at
THE BELL WEEKLY: Digital gulag Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we focus on Russia’s new law tightening military draft procedures that establishes a new database that many believe amounts to a “digital gulag.” Russia takes a major step toward full militarization, online control Beneath a veil of secrecy, lawmakers last week rammed legislation through the State
How does Russia’s drift toward totalitarianism affect the economy? Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is the amendments to a military service law that entails a radical restriction on freedoms inside the country. We also look at why inflation is not falling as
Security officer who fled Russia tells of Putin’s growing isolation Paid Members Public
Dossier, an investigative center linked to former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, last week published an interview with a captain in the Federal Guards Service (FSO) who fled abroad in protest at the war. Gleb Karakulov served for 13 years in the FSO, which is responsible for the president’s
High-ranking Russian officials face travel ban Paid Members Public
Since the war started, Russian officials and employees of state-owned companies have found it difficult to travel. The reason is not only Western sanctions, even though these have affected many. Instead, Russian officials and employees at state-run organizations have been subjected to stringent new travel restrictions. * Recent changes mean that
The ruble suffers its worst week of 2023 Paid Members Public
Just under a year ago, the Russian ruble was named the best performing currency in the world. As a result of currency controls introduced by the Russian authorities and a sharp drop in import volumes, it rose in value after the invasion of Ukraine to levels not seen since 2014.
THE BELL WEEKLY: Ruble woes Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the falling Russian ruble, which last week saw its worst-performing week this year. We also look at why many Russian officials are now blocked from traveling abroad and the defection of a high-ranking security officer who was involved in protecting President Vladimir
Real incomes keep on falling Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Today, I am joined by The Bell economy reporter Denis Kasyanchuk and we’ll look at what’s happening to incomes and living standards in Russia. What risks does the current
