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: The Kremlin view on Putin-Trump talks PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover the rising hopes, fears and expectations for talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. We also look into a fake news scandal that has shaken Russia’s independent media scene. Putin-Trump talks: What to expect Following Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President, the
THE BELL WEEKLY: Moscow welcomes Trump PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is how Russia and Putin are meeting the return of Donald Trump to the White House. We also cover how sanctions are pushing Russia’s coal industry to collapse and Azerbaijan puts an Armenian billionaire separatist leader — who made his fortune in 1990s Moscow
THE BELL WEEKLY: The Hidden Costs of War for Russians PRO Members Public
The main economic story of last year in Russia was the authorities' failure to curb rampant inflation. Even taking interest rates to their highest level for more than two decades could not slow the pace of price rises — everything from food and services to vehicles and housing became more
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
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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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