Newsletters
Kremlin opts to seize foreign assets as ‘sanctions war’ hots up Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. This week we look at the Kremlin’s decision to nationalize the assets of several companies owned by foreign states (in a way that benefits Putin’s ally Igor Sechin) and
THE BELL WEEKLY: Army recruitment drive Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about an enormous military recruitment drive in Russia seeking to attract hundreds of thousands of soldiers. We also look at reports that the children of the Russian elite are fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine and another spat between different factions of Russia’
The Ukraine war means Russia needs a digital ruble more than ever Paid Members Public
Hello! This is Alexandra Prokopenko with your weekly guide to the Russian economy — brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is Russia’s digital ruble and why it could be of significant use to the Kremlin while it wages its brutal war in Ukraine. We also look at
THE BELL WEEKLY: Digital gulag Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we focus on Russia’s new law tightening military draft procedures that establishes a new database that many believe amounts to a “digital gulag.” Russia takes a major step toward full militarization, online control Beneath a veil of secrecy, lawmakers last week rammed legislation through the State
THE BELL WEEKLY: Ruble woes Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the falling Russian ruble, which last week saw its worst-performing week this year. We also look at why many Russian officials are now blocked from traveling abroad and the defection of a high-ranking security officer who was involved in protecting President Vladimir
THE BELL WEEKLY: Military blogger assassination Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is the assassination of military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and why it might trigger a fresh round of repression in Russia. We also look at the arrest of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and a report that Russia is once again considering using convict labor in
THE BELL WEEKLY: How Putin's friend cleans up Russian media space Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about how Vladimir Putin's old friend, the influential head of state conglomerate Rostec Sergei Chemezov wages a war on Telegram, a messaging app which has become the most influential social network in Russia. We also look at a “leaked” audio of
THE BELL WEEKLY: Arrest warrant conundrum Paid Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about how Russian media outlets were baffled about how to report on an international arrest warrant issued for Putin. We also look at a major meeting between Putin and top business leaders and police raids on popular bars in Moscow that were demonstratively
