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.
THE BELL WEEKLY: Russia’s patience with YouTube running out PRO Members Public
Hello! Welcome to our final weekly newsletter of the year! This week we look at how Russia is moving closer to blocking YouTube, the country’s most popular video site. Putin weighs in on YouTube slowdown debate After the invasion of Ukraine, many Russians turned to YouTube as their primary
THE BELL WEEKLY: Russia targets foreign agents’ income, again PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story looks at new measures to bar more income streams for “foreign agents.” We also look at a wave of under-the-radar IT layoffs and Russia saying it is preparing for a direct conflict with NATO. Russian “foreign agents” to lose property and asset income Russia’
THE BELL WEEKLY: How Russia lost Syria PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look into Russia’s retreat from Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad and his regime. We also tell the story of a PR man appointed new Kursk governor and how the ruble recovers after a recent slump. How did the Kremlin squander Syria After more
THE BELL WEEKLY: Georgia rocked by pro-EU protests PRO Members Public
After a less-than-convincing victory in Georgia’s parliamentary elections for his Georgian Dream party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili is rolling the dice, with the government in Tbilisi announcing a complete halt to talks on joining the EU. In effect, Georgian Dream has gone all-in on its confrontation with the West — and
THE BELL WEEKLY: How Putin fell in love with hypersonic missiles PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look into Russia’s hypersonic missile development program, after Russia fired one on Ukraine, the first time a device of its type has been used in combat. We also analyze the latest fall in the value of the ruble and how Russia plans to write off
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin fury at US green light on Ukraine missiles PRO Members Public
This week we look at how Moscow has reacted to the United States giving Ukraine permission to use its long-range missiles for strikes on Russian territory. We also cover new steps the regime is taking to squeeze the income of Kremlin critics abroad. Russia’s reaction to the prospect of
THE BELL WEEKLY: Moldova’s pro-Europe president squeaks through PRO Members Public
Hello. This week our main story is Moldova’s pro-EU president securing a slim victory in an election closely followed in Moscow. We also look at whether Russia’s economic statistics can be trusted. Narrow victory for Moldova’s pro-European president A week after Georgia held crunch parliamentary elections, another
THE BELL WEEKLY: Victory for Georgia’s pro-Russia ruling party PRO Members Public
Hello! This week’s main story is Georgia’s pro-Moscow ruling party securing victory in crucial parliamentary elections. We also cover last week’s BRICS summit — a political victory for Putin, but with no progress on anything important or meaningful. Georgia’s ruling party wins key election, triggering opposition protests
THE BELL WEEKLY: Russia’s ‘Special Demographic Operation’ PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we highlight how Moscow is going into overdrive to try to boost the country’s low birth rate through misguided legislative initiatives. We also cover attempts to pass a law to seize property and assets from people who have fled the country and the central bank preparing
THE BELL WEEKLY: The mounting costs of Russia’s army recruitment PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at Russia ramping up spending to lure soldiers for its war on Ukraine. We also highlight calls for a tax on couples who choose not to have children. Russia boosts army sign-up bonuses amid escalating frontline losses After the unpleasant experience with forcibly calling up
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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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