Newsletter
Could Russia go nuclear as Moscow hit and Crimea in crisis? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we analyze why some Russians — including those with ties at the Kremlin — are again talking about launching a tactical nuclear strike on Ukraine, as Moscow comes under barrage and Kyiv’s army cuts off Crimea. Moscow attacked, Crimea cut-off Ukraine’s drone raid on Moscow and its
Russia raids pension pots to plug investment hole 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 dig into the details of a controversial new scheme designed to tap pension pots for investment funds. State targets future retirees to address
In Charts: How Russia’s war is worsening inequality PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we analyze how the invasion of Ukraine, now dragging through its fifth year, has widened the gap between rich and poor inside Russia. Russia’s rich get richer Vladimir Putin loves to portray himself as the people’s president, combatting the inequality and injustice he inherited from
Russia to borrow more for spiralling war costs 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 discuss how the government is getting ready for a massive borrowing binge to meet the rising costs of the invasion of Ukraine. Government
Russia’s fuel crisis PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we discuss Russia’s fuel crisis, triggered by Ukraine’s increasingly successful attacks on Russian oil refineries and supply routes across occupied territory. Ukraine hits Russia at the pumps For the second year running, Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries, energy infrastructure and logistics routes have triggered
Russian corporate debt load hits Covid levels 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 new data on the growing debt pile at Russia’s largest companies — and why the Central Bank may be too optimistic on
How to fund a two trillion-ruble shortfall 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 discuss how the government plans to fund the spiralling costs of war — and why it spells more pain for the civilian economy. Russia
Wartime economy squeezes small businesses PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we analyze a heap of data that shows it is Russia’s smallest businesses that are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis and the raft of internet restrictions. Between taxes and blackouts “2026 will not be an easy year for Russian business,” warned Alexander Shokhin, the
Russia’s 2027 succession problem 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 look at the challenge of appointing an heir to Elvira Nabiullina, about to enter her final year at the helm of the Central
Kremlin replaces people’s governor with war general PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at Vladimir Putin’s decision to fire the head of the frontline Belgorod region, who might have been a victim of his own popularity. Belgorod leader out: When popularity becomes a problem Rotating Russia’s regional governors has long been a routine process. But the
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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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