The Bell's English-language content is going behind a paywall. Subscribe now!

Dear readers,

We have a big announcement. On May 1, we are putting all of The Bell's English-language content behind a paywall. This has not been an easy decision. But we are the only independent media outlet that specializes in the Russian economy, using our sources in the elite, and our expertise, to provide in-depth analysis of events. Given the role Russia now plays in the world, we believe our information, and our insight, are worth paying for.

Our English-language output has grown in quality and sophistication over the last three years. In 2022, we had just one weekly newsletter (albeit, in our opinion, the best on the market). Now, we have two weekly English newsletters containing exclusive, in-depth analysis of the Russian economy and politics, and we manage a news website in English. This year, we will start holding online events at which our authors and experts can share their thoughts directly with subscribers.

When will the paywall be introduced?

• All our online content and newsletters will remain free until May 1.
• There will be significant discounts available to current subscribers through April (you can even sign up for a paid subscription right now). From May 1, however, the discounts will no longer be available.
• If you purchase a subscription before May 1, you will be charged immediately – but the subscription will only begin on May 1.
• Once subscribed, you will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

What will paid subscribers get?

• Two newsletters from The Bell every week.
• Access to all our online content, as well as our archive.
• Special access to regular online events with our editors and contributors.

What happens if I don't pay?

• Subscribers who chose not to make a financial contribution will still get access to one article a week on our website, abbreviated versions of our newsletters, and the monthly “Russia in Numbers” newsletter.

Why is it worth paying for our content?

• Analysis. Our in-depth analysis of major economic and political developments in Russia is informed by highly-placed sources, and insider knowledge.
• Efficiency. You don't need to follow the daily twists and turns of Russian news – if you read our newsletters, you’re guaranteed not to miss anything important. We select the top news stories, and explain why they matter. Reading one of our newsletters should take no more than 15-20 minutes.
• Quality. Our team has been writing about the economy, politics and business in Russia for more than 20 years. Our reputation is impeccable, and our expertise and objectivity are acknowledged even by officials working in the Kremlin.
• Convenience. You don't need to seek out information or sift through dozens of websites – it will simply land in your inbox twice a week. 
• Exclusivity. You won’t find our economic analysis and insight anywhere else.

Who are we?

• The Bell was set-up in 2017 as an independent media outlet reporting on Russian business and economics for independent and ambitious Russians who, like us, pinned their hopes on integration into the global economy.
• The founders and owners of The Bell are well-known Russian journalists Elizaveta Osetinskaya, Irina Malkova and Pyotr Mironenko.
• After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, we all left Russia because military censorship laws meant we were not able to work freely.

Who writes our content?

• Alexandra Prokopenko is a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Alexandra is one of the most sought-after experts on the Russian economy, and has been published by the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Der Spiegel and other notable international media. She worked as an advisor at Russia's Central Bank and Moscow's Higher School of Economics from 2017 to 2022. Before that she was a journalist for Vedomosti, then Russia's leading business newspaper. 
• Alexander Kolyandr is a financial analyst, and a non-resident senior scholar at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Alexander has been following the Russian economy for many years as a vice president at Credit Suisse, and, before that, as a reporter at The Wall Street Journal and the BBC.
• Denis Kasyanchuk is an economics editor at The Bell. Prior to that, Denis worked as an analyst at the Russian Central Bank, and reported for independent Russian media.

Who edits the content?

• Our Russian editor is Pyotr Mironenko, co-founder of The Bell. Pyotr has 20 years' editing experience at Russia's largest business outlets – Kommersant and RBC. In 2017, he founded The Bell with colleagues Elizaveta and Irina.
• Our English editor is Howard Amos, a journalist who spent almost a decade as a correspondent in Moscow and whose writing has been published in outlets including The Guardian, Newsweek, Foreign Policy, The Associated Press and Politico. His debut non-fiction book, 'Russia Starts Here', was published by Bloomsbury in February 2025.

Take advantage of an exclusive discount (available through May 1) to get unlimited access to all The Bell’s content in English when it goes behind a paywall. Join our growing community, and support well-informed and independent Russian journalism.

Email info@thebell.io with any questions. 

Kind regards,
The Bell