Russia, Explained
Pyotr Mironenko, co-founder of The Bell, and Denis Kasyanchuk, our economics editor, take a closer look at the week's top Russia stories, and explain why they matter. An in-depth look at how Russia works, what is bothering the elite, how public opinion is changing, and how to read between the lines of state propaganda.
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
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’
Russia’s most glamorous dissident PRO Members Public
Hello! Russia has been awash over the last week since a model and influencer issued an appeal to Vladimir Putin, becoming the surprise face of creeping anger with how the country is being run. Blogger urges Putin to like, share and subscribe Influencer and model Viktoria Bonya has unexpectedly emerged
Russia in the cold in the new Moon race PRO Members Public
Hello! After the success of NASA’s Artemis II lunar flyby mission, The Bell looks at how the Soviet Union lost the Cold War space race, and why Moscow is barely even a player in the modern race to the moon. NASA’s moon success an embarrassing reminder of Russia’
Anger rises amid internet crackdown PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we highlight how as the authorities intensify their campaign against what’s left of a free internet inside Russia, opinion polls show public anger is rising. Kremlin campaign against the internet pushes Putin’s approval rating to four-year low This year has seen Russia’s authorities massively
What the Galitsky case reveals about Russia’s political system PRO Members Public
Hello! This week The Bell looks into the nationalization case against businessman Alexander Galitsky — labelled “extremist” after a divorce saga — and why in Moscow there is speculation that it could spell trouble for Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. A nationalization saga with a political backdrop The biggest nationalization case of the
Everybody Against Mr Nobody PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover how Oscar-winning documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, went down inside Russia, and why it’s caused a stir among both the Kremlin’s backers and its critics. Russians fight over Mr Nobody Earlier this month, Russia won the Best Documentary Oscar for the first time
Moscow goes offline PRO Members Public
Hello! Over the last week Russia’s internet blackouts have reached a new extreme, this week we look at how Moscow is coping with being thrown back to the online dark ages, and why the authorities are cutting the connection right now. Russian capital hit by week-long internet blackouts The
Russia watches on as war engulfs Middle East PRO Members Public
Hello! The war in the Middle East has dominated Russian attention over the last nine days, even pushing its own invasion of Ukraine down the running order. This week we take a look at how the conflict is affecting Russia, and how Moscow is reacting to the fighting. Stranded tourists,
Can Telegram challenge the Putin regime? PRO Members Public
Hello! As Russia prepares to initiate a full block on Telegram, the country’s most important messenger and social media platform, The Bell goes inside the blitz campaign that sealed its fate, and why skirting the restrictions is far from a given. Telegram vs. the Kremlin: Round Two Telegram’s
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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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