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.
Exiled Russians hit by EU sanctions PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover the exiled Russians being locked out of their bank accounts, and why it could fuel hostility towards the West among the liberal, anti-war, anti-Kremlin crowd. Anti-Putin Russians in Europe caught up by latest sanctions Since the EU introduced its latest packet of sanctions on Moscow
Debunking Moscow’s sanctions myth PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we dig into the myth Russia tells itself about Western sanctions — that they don’t work — highlighting where Moscow has got it wrong. Russia says it isn’t bothered by sanctions. The data says otherwise “Sanctions aren’t working.” That’s been one of the key narratives
What could Putin and Trump agree on in Budapest? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover the surprise announcement of a second summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, asking why now and what kind of agreement they might reach. Putin-Trump 2.0: Hungary calling The saga of the Putin-Trump talks is entering its second cycle. After yet another round of
Havana Syndrome: Could Russia’s roads go full Cuban? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how a hike in car import fees is becoming one of the government’s most unpopular domestic policies in years, and prompted predictions that decades-old Western cars could soon be lining Russian roads. Planned hike in cost of foreign cars triggers rare public backlash
How Putin’s allies benefit from internet shutdowns PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we report on how businesses loyal to the Kremlin are winning out as mass internet blackouts become a feature of daily life for millions of Russians. On again, off again: How the authorities keep their friends online after switching off the internet With Russia having got used
Western firms face Russian asset risks — Italy shows the scale PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how Russia could retaliate if Europe moves ahead with plans to more boldly use Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine. With Western companies sure to be in the firing line, we calculate how much firms from just one country, Italy, stand to lose.
Russia's Eurovision rival PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at Intervision, the revived Soviet-era song contest designed to rival Eurovision that was light on the camp and heavy on the propaganda. Intervision, Moscow’s propaganda-filled song contest Russia staged the Intervision music contest over the weekend, a Vladimir Putin-ordered Eurovision clone, designed to show
Yandex founder's $20 billion comeback PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at the comeback of Arkady Volozh, the Yandex founder who has struck it rich—again—thanks to a mega deal for his new AI infrastructure startup. From startup to sanctions and back again Last year, Arkady Volozh, one of the founders of Russia’s most
Propaganda in Russian schools PRO Members Public
Hello! As a new school year kicks off in Russia, we dig into how the authorities are pushing propaganda into Russian schools and glorifying the invasion of Ukraine in lessons for children as young as three. Instilling ideology: How the Kremlin raises young loyalists Much like during the Soviet era,
Russia’s digital Gulag PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at Russia’s plans to significantly tighten control and surveillance on the internet through a spate of new laws, restrictions and punishments. Online crackdown looms Russia’s parliament has spent all summer passing a raft of prohibitive legislation to give the authorities more control and
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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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