
Russian prisons boss fired amid evidence of torture PRO Members Public
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday fired Alexander Kalashnikov from his position as head of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). In the absence of any official explanation, experts linked the dismissal to recent, high-profile allegations of torture in Russian prisons, and infighting within the security services. Kalashnikov’s replacement was

State-owned tech firm Rusnano faces possible default PRO Members Public
Set-up to nurture innovation and help diversify the Russian economy, state-owned Rusnano was this week facing the possibility of a default. Rusnano managers were reportedly locked in debt restructure negotiations with investors after trading of the company’s bonds was suspended. The saga has led to questions about whether state-driven

State social media PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about the sale of one of Russia’s biggest internet holdings — that includes popular social network Vkontakte — to two state-owned companies. We also look at a jailed YouTube blogger who alleges he was threatened by investigators, and the scams that plagued Black Friday

Market woes PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about why November is the worst month this year for Russian markets. We also look at the dismissal of the head of Russia’s penitentiary service following revelations about prison torture, and the possibility of a default for state-owned Rusnano — a company supposed

Online streaming platforms face regulation, censorship PRO Members Public
Online movie streaming in Russia has become so popular it’s beginning to attract government attention — in the form of fines, restrictions, even bans. There were several examples of this last week. Online streaming looks like it will end up being as heavily censored as Russian television. * Media watchdog Roskomnadzor

Special investment funds tap officials as clients PRO Members Public
Les banques d'État VTB et Sber ont lancé la semaine dernière des fonds communs de placement spécialisés destinés aux fonctionnaires dont la détention de titres étrangers est limitée par la loi. * La législation russe interdit aux fonctionnaires de détenir des comptes auprès de banques basées en dehors de la Russie, ou de posséder - ou d'utiliser - des instruments financiers étrangers.

Geopolitical tensions rise ahead of Putin-Biden talks PRO Members Public
From Ukraine to Belarus, tension between Russia and the West rose rapidly last week. Is this really the prelude to a military conflict, or is it all just saber-rattling ahead of an end-of-year encounter between Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden? * White House spokesperson Jen Psaki did not rule

Censorship & streaming PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story is about how the rise of online streaming platforms has attracted regulation and censorship. We also look at why some top state-owned banks are creating special investment funds for officials, and whether tension between Russia and the West could be a result of an

Russia to impose mandatory QR-codes in coronavirus fight PRO Members Public
The Russian government submitted legislation to parliament Friday that, if passed, would make QR-codes obligatory to access mass public events, eateries, retailers, and cultural institutions, as well as trains and planes. * The new regulations are contained in two laws that are now before the State Duma, and could be passed

Russia’s IPO boom turns to bust PRO Members Public
An expected initial public offering (IPO) bonanza for Russian companies is in jeopardy after two major listings were abruptly cancelled. The owner of Russia’s largest alcohol retailer, Red & White, announced Tuesday that it was canceling its placement just a few days after the Delimobil carsharing service postponed a