Newsletters
THE BELL WEEKLY. ‘More than hype’: Yandex founder bets on AI Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we spoke to Yandex founder Arkady Volozh about his new business venture following the multi-billion-dollar break-up of the Russian tech giant. We also look at how a university appointment reveals the Kremlin’s deepening control over the most liberal corners of higher education. Yandex founder tells The
THE BELL WEEKLY: The Kremlin versus YouTube Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we cover Russian authorities slowing down traffic to YouTube and WhatsApp. We also look at the latest targeting of anti-war exiles and why a plane crash has shone a light on Russia’s import substitution drive. Russia puts the brakes on YouTube, WhatsApp After abandoning plans to
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin goes all-in on online elections Paid Members Public
Hello. This week we look at how the Kremlin is embracing online voting — and how it further streamlines the manipulation of elections. We also look at how a state-backed mortgage program fuelled inequality and a housing bubble, and a landmark sentence designed to scare Russia’s intelligentsia. Online voting, electronic
THE BELL WEEKLY: Tough talk from Russia’s top investigator Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we cover a raft of hardline proposals from the head of the Investigative Committee, look at how Russia reacted to the US presidential debate and the buzz around Kanye West’s rumored visit to Moscow. A string of hardline proposals from Russia’s chief investigator Russia is
THE BELL WEEKLY: A wild deal for Russia’s largest online retailer Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we look at a curious merger deal involving Russia’s largest online retailer, a coordinated terror attack in Dagestan and how Russia’s “alternative” Olympics has descended into a laughing stock. Wildberries set for new Putin-approved shareholders A very strange deal is in the works involving Russia’
THE BELL WEEKLY: The viral crypto hamster game with Russian roots Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how a viral game featuring a Hamster CEO with Russian roots is providing a boon to Telegram’s crypto ambitions. We also speak to a former finance ministry official about the hidden reasons behind Russia’s tax rises, and explore why hearings in a
THE BELL WEEKLY: How much tax do Russians really pay? Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we further unpack Russia’s planned tax rises, analyzing just how competitive Russia’s payroll taxes really are. We also look at how the war in Ukraine has helped polish the fortunes of Russia’s jewelry market. A ‘competitive’ tax rate? Finance Minister Anton Siluanov keeps saying
THE BELL WEEKLY: Don’t call it a tax rise Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we cover the biggest tax hikes in Russia for two decades, and why the state is trying to call them something else. We also look at the fledgling “pirate” car industry of Western-branded vehicles being assembled in Russia, and cover how troll farms are using Western AI
