Newsletters
THE BELL WEEKLY: The arrest of Pavel Durov Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we bring you an extended look at the arrest of Pavel Durov in France — covering the Telegram founder’s history in Russia, what we know so far about his shock arrest and what it could mean for the platform. Durov’s French affair Late Saturday evening at
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin downplays Ukraine’s border offensive Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we cover how the Kremlin has tried to downplay and distance Putin from Ukraine’s surprise offensive into the Kursk region. We also look at a slew of new repressive laws signed into force and why Moscow slowing down YouTube isn’t affecting the popularity of anti-government
THE BELL WEEKLY: Historic prisoner swap highlights rifts in Russian society Paid Members Public
Hello. This week we look at the controversy surrounding the historic prisoner exchange between Russia and the West. We also bring you a snapshot of our investigation into Russia’s “Hairspray King” — a little-known billionaire and major winner from the exodus of Western firms. Opposition leaders, newly freed, stoke controversy
THE BELL WEEKLY: Primetime scandal at Russia’s Amazon Paid Members Public
Hello! This week we look at an eye-popping scandal at Wildberries — Russia’s answer to Amazon — and how Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov got himself involved in the founder’s divorce. We also cover Russian propagandists having a field day with the Olympics opening ceremony and the war veterans being pushed
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
