The cost to Russia of losing Maduro PRO Members Public
Hello and Happy New Year! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexander Kolyandr and Alexandra Prokopenko and brought to you by The Bell. In our first newsletter of 2026, we look at how the US campaign against Venezuela is creating a painful headache for Russia.
How Russia’s economy changed in 2025 PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr and brought to you by The Bell. This week we bring you a state of the nation rundown, a look at the condition of Russia’s economy as it enters 2026. Thank you
Revolut founder Storonsky Raises His Stake to 29%. The Holding Is Worth Nearly $25bn PRO Members Public
Nikolay Storonsky’s stake in Revolut — Europe’s most valuable startup — has grown from 25% to around 29% since last year, Storonsky told journalist Elizaveta Osetinskaya in an interview. The increase came through a long-term incentive plan similar to Elon Musk’s compensation package at Tesla, tied to the company’
Central Bank prepares end-of-year cut PRO Members Public
Next week the Central Bank will take its final interest rate decision of the year, likely cutting borrowing costs by at least 50 basis points, to 16%, amid slowing inflation. * The last meeting of the year is scheduled for Dec. 19. At the previous meeting on Oct. 24, the board
The most hated woman in Russia PRO Members Public
Hello! Our focus this week is on a legal scandal that has gripped the headlines for weeks — and what it tells us about celebrity culture in Russia today. Controversial court ruling triggers uproar against pro-Putin singer Russia is ending the year with a massive domestic scandal surrounding singer Larisa Dolina,
Final battle for Russia’s frozen billions PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexander Kolyandr and Alexandra Prokopenko and brought to you by The Bell. This week we look at the battle over whether the EU will channel Russia’s frozen assets to Ukraine — and how Moscow is already responding. Edited
Russia’s economy hit the brakes — is a full stop coming? The Bell Webinar — December 10, 2025 PRO Members Public
What a difference a year makes. The Russian economy lurched from spectacular growth to near-stagnation, from consumer spending sprees to belt-tightening. The contradictions that officials papered over for months finally caught up with them—and the true costs of the war are now impossible to ignore. Join the authors of
What might Putin bring back from India? PRO Members Public
Vladimir Putin went to India for his first visit since 2021. India is one of Russia’s key political and economic partners, but pressure from Western sanctions is hitting both trade and diplomatic relations. Putin’s visit is intended to revive them. * The United States is trying to knock India
Russia approaching end-game of digital repression PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how Russia’s assault on foreign internet platforms is reaching its final stage, with new threats against WhatsApp, the blocking of FaceTime and Snapchat, and increasingly sophisticated tools to stamp out VPNs. Before we start, The Bell is pleased to announce our upcoming webinar
EU puts Russia on financial blacklist PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexander Kolyandr and Alexandra Prokopenko and brought to you by The Bell. This week we analyze the EU’s decision to put Russia on its financial blacklist, and what Putin hopes to bring back from his trip to
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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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