Everything changed PRO Members Public
Hello! This week, Russia invaded Ukraine. Like most others in Russia, we doubted President Vladimir Putin would actually take such a momentous step — but he did. It will lead to enormous bloodshed, and have far-reaching political and economic consequences. The military situation in Ukraine is fast-moving and, as we do
War clouds gather over Ukraine PRO Members Public
Russians have been following the course of events in Ukraine with bewilderment. As before, few believe a real war will break out. However, the level of tension is making even the most hardened skeptics nervous. And the role of Western media has become a cause of concern: deliberately or otherwise,
Figure skating scandals dominate Russia’s Winter Olympics PRO Members Public
Unlike the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which was remembered for open homophobia on Russian state-owned television, the Winter Olympics in Beijing produced genuine sporting drama. But, once again, the Russian team was the subject of serious doping allegations. Rivalry, tears — and trimetazidine Russia’s figure skaters won the team event
Russia lags behind in push for electric vehicles PRO Members Public
Sales of electric vehicles are increasing rapidly all over the world with the pandemic merely accelerating this trend. In an investigation published Monday, The Bell looked at whether Russia can catch up with the pacesetters of ‘electrification’. Even though the Russian government announced ambitious plans last year, the country’s
Information war PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the unabated tensions over Ukraine and the rising casualties of a bitter ‘information war’. We also look at the doping allegations and rivalries in figure skating that have blighted Russia’s Winter Olympics, and why Russia is falling behind when it comes
Invasion week? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is the fever-pitch speculation about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine and why many Russian experts remain skeptical that a large-scale military conflict is imminent. We also look at the latest moves in the Kremlin’s bid to tighten control over the internet, how
Despite US warnings, Ukraine invasion still seen as unlikely PRO Members Public
Fears Russia is about to launch an invasion of Ukraine reached fever-pitch this weekend as the current crisis approached a moment of truth. No-one can say with any certainty what will happen Wednesday — the date of an attack reportedly given by U.S. President Joe Biden — but most independent Russian
Kremlin push to increase control over the internet PRO Members Public
The Russian authorities are investing significant sums in order to extend state control over the internet, according to a media investigation published last week. At the same time, there are big changes underway at VK, the company that controls Russia’s biggest social network (Vkontakte). According to The Bell’s
‘Tax on the rich’ raises $1bln in first year PRO Members Public
The Federal Tax Service released Thursday details about the first year of a ‘tax on the rich’. However, this is not a tax on billionaires. Since last year, income tax in Russia has risen to 15 percent (from a flat-rate 13 percent) for anyone earning more than 5 million rubles
Media investigation of Sputnik V reveals litany of errors PRO Members Public
An investigation published Thursday by independent media outlet Meduza (designated a ‘foreign agent’ by the Russian authorities) and The Bell looked in detail at Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V. Throughout vaccine development, pressure to beat international competitors seems to have forced error after error — despite the vaccine itself clearly
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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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