Economy Weekly
The return of currency controls Paid Members Public
Hello! This is your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is on the currency controls re-imposed by Russia and why they are likely linked to presidential elections scheduled for next year. We also look at Belgium’s decision to transfer some
Russia’s big sanctions workaround Paid Members Public
Hello! This is your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our main story is an analysis of customs data that reveals how Russia is getting around Western sanctions by importing restricted goods via third countries. We also look at why, contrary to expectations, there’
Russia’s wartime budget Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Today's top story is an analysis of Russia’s 2024-2026 budget, which foresees a record level of military spending. We also look at a proposal to make the Russian
Will the West tap Russia’s frozen assets? Paid Members Public
Hello! This is your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is a look at whether the West might be on the verge of utilizing Russian assets that were frozen as the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We also look
Nobody is safe from Russia’s wave of re-nationalization Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. This time we are focusing on how Russia is quietly reversing the results of the privatizations that followed the Soviet collapse. Even Kremlin loyalist oligarchs and former officials have been among
Russia’s economy is overheating Paid Members Public
As summer draws to a close, we decided to take a look at some of the biggest issues facing the Russian economy. Despite wartime pressures, the economy has not collapsed (it has even given President Vladimir Putin a few chances to gloat). But there are also obvious problems. First and
The ruble is a prisoner of Russian politics Paid Members Public
Hello! This is your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our main story is about how the Russian ruble this week slumped below 100 to the U.S. dollar, exposing an unusual level of indecision and lack of agreement among officials. Ironically, this all
Russian Central Bank takes emegency measures as the ruble plummets Paid Members Public
Russia’s Central Bank, which is also responsible for national monetary policy, is trying to strengthen the falling ruble. Last week, it refused to invest in foreign currency as required by budget rules. But on Monday, as the dollar rate reached 100 rubles for the frst time since March 2022,
