How Russian banks adapted to sanctions Members Public

Hello! This week we detail our investigation into how Russian banks are skirting sanctions to transfer money to the EU — the latest in a string of restriction-busting innovations rolled out by the sector amid the Ukraine invasion. The Central Asian fix: Sending rubles to Europe Sanctions against Russia over its

Denis Kasyanchuk Denis Kasyanchuk
Russia, Explained

Corporate Russia no longer fears sanctions Members Public

Alexandra Prokopenko Alexandra Prokopenko Alexander Kolyandr Alexander Kolyandr
Newsletter

Domodedovo and SPIEF: a masterclass in ignoring reality Members Public

Hello! This week we look at how the nationalization of Moscow’s Domodedovo airport came about and why it was a non-issue at Russia’s premier business and investment forum in Saint Petersburg. SPIEF shrugs off Domodedovo nationalization The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has long ceased to be a

Pyotr Mironenko Pyotr Mironenko
Russia, Explained

Why isn’t Russia backing Iran? Members Public

Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexander Kolyandr and Alexandra Prokopenko and brought to you by The Bell. This week our top story is about Russia’s decision to remain on the sidelines in the Iran-Israel war. We also look at the first official

Alexander Kolyandr Alexander Kolyandr Alexandra Prokopenko Alexandra Prokopenko
Inside the Russian Economy

Iran-Israel war plays into Kremlin hands Members Public

Hello! This week we cover how Moscow could benefit from the conflict between Iran and Israel. We also unpack an investigation into Telegram and the FSB, examining what mobile data Russia’s security services can and cannot access. Moscow stands to benefit from all-out war between Israel and Iran Although

Denis Kasyanchuk Denis Kasyanchuk
Russia, Explained

Russia’s ballooning budget deficit Members Public

Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr and brought to you by The Bell. Our top story is on data revealing the current state of Russia’s finances, including a steadily growing budget deficit. We also assess the upcoming St.

Alexandra Prokopenko Alexandra Prokopenko Alexander Kolyandr Alexander Kolyandr
Newsletter

Russia prepares for a war on WhatsApp Members Public

Hello! This week we look at Russia’s plans to create a domestic messenger platform – and why that spells trouble for the almost 100 million Russian WhatsApp users. Putin backs creation of ‘national messenger’ Russian authorities are moving towards blocking the last major foreign online service that had been – until

Pyotr Mironenko Pyotr Mironenko
Russia, Explained

Bonuses reduced for Russian military recruits Members Public

Hello! Welcome to your weekly guide to the Russian economy, written by Alexandra Prokopenko and Alexander Kolyandr and brought to you by The Bell. Our top story looks at reductions to the bonuses paid to military recruits, a break with the trend of the last two years. We also analyze

Alexandra Prokopenko Alexandra Prokopenko Alexander Kolyandr Alexander Kolyandr
Inside the Russian Economy

Protectionist rhetoric bodes ill for Western companies hoping for return Members Public

Russia’s parliament will next month consider legislation to allow Russian companies to deny former foreign shareholders a buyback—even if they had such an option under the terms of their exit from Russia. The law specifies Russian owners can block a buyback if the company has a “significant influence

Alexandra Prokopenko Alexandra Prokopenko
Economy

Russia’s Pearl Harbor? Members Public

Hello! This week we look in depth at Ukraine’s attacks on Russian air bases housing its strategic bomber fleet — what it means for the war, could Russia go nuclear in response, and why state TV hasn’t been talking about it. Ukraine attacks Russian strategic bomber fleet in stunning

Denis Kasyanchuk Denis Kasyanchuk
Russia, Explained
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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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RUSSIA IN GRAPHS

Understand the Russian economy and politics with a monthly infographic plus a selection of articles to add to your reading list, compiled by The Bell’s editors team.