Newsletter
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
Russia’s official economic forecast: degradation 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. Russia’s economic authorities this week have finally started saying what has been obvious for many months — the economy is facing its toughest time since the
The price of Ukraine’s retaliatory drone strikes 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. Ahead of a Victory Day parade that has been slimmed down under the threat of Ukrainian drones, we look at the economic costs of Kyiv’s
Russia on Fire as Victory Day Approaches PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we analyze the spate of successful Ukrainian drone attacks across Russia — and how it is leaving a dark cloud over Moscow’s plans for Victory Day celebrations on May 9, one of the most important days of the year for Vladimir Putin. Little to celebrate on Victory
Russia’s oligarchs: more money, more problems 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 how Russia’s billionaires got richer during the war, but why they find themselves more vulnerable to the whims of the state
Putin weighs into internet restrictions debate PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we unpack the biggest issue in Russian politics right now — the power struggle over the future of online restrictions amid bubbling elite and public discontent. Kremlin on PR manoeuvres as internet backlash bites The imposition of restrictions on the internet has triggered so much discontent among Russia’
War losses drive Russia’s record low unemployment 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 detail our research showing how Russia’s celebrated low unemployment rate is a direct consequence of the huge numbers of men being killed
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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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