
The hidden reasons behind Russia’s mega tax rises PRO Members Public
Last month Russia’s finance ministry officially unveiled plans for the country’s biggest tax “reform” in over 20 years. The changes will mean higher taxes for business and Russia’s middle class. The Bell spoke to economist Oleg Buklemishev, a former head of the finance ministry’s department of

Hamster Kombat takes Telegram by storm, helping app’s crypto ambitions PRO Members Public
A Russian-developed mobile game linked to the world of cryptocurrency has proved a mega hit for Telegram, providing a big boost to the app’s founder, Pavel Durov, and his own blockchain project. Hamster Kombat, a simple game in which players pound their phone screens to generate virtual currency, has

THE BELL WEEKLY: The viral crypto hamster game with Russian roots PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how a viral game featuring a Hamster CEO with Russian roots is providing a boon to Telegram’s crypto ambitions. We also speak to a former finance ministry official about the hidden reasons behind Russia’s tax rises, and explore why hearings in a

U.S. secondary sanctions menace Russian economy PRO 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 time we look at a new round of U.S. sanctions that seek to “strangle” Moscow’s war machine, and why Russia’s steadily falling

War helps Russian jewelry market shine again PRO Members Public
Money from the war is pumping up the unlikeliest corners of the Russian economy. As soldiers’ families back home look to splash the cash from their loved ones’ bumper salaries, retail sales of jewelry are set to climb by at least 15-20% this year, according to figures collected by Kommersant.

A ‘competitive’ tax rate? PRO Members Public
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov keeps saying that even after income tax rates go up, Russia’s tax regime will remain “competitive and comfortable.” It is true that Russia’s headline rate of personal income tax rate was, and will remain, low compared with other countries. But those who paid close

THE BELL WEEKLY: How much tax do Russians really pay? PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we further unpack Russia’s planned tax rises, analyzing just how competitive Russia’s payroll taxes really are. We also look at how the war in Ukraine has helped polish the fortunes of Russia’s jewelry market. A ‘competitive’ tax rate? Finance Minister Anton Siluanov keeps saying

Why is Russia’s economy booming? PRO 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 this week is the St. Petersburg Economic Forum and Russia’s rapidly growing economy. We also look at the Central Bank’s decision

Russian “Trolls” turn to Western AI for their disinformation campaigns PRO Members Public
Des trolls russes ont été surpris en train d'utiliser l'IA occidentale pour générer et diffuser de la désinformation sur l'invasion de l'Ukraine par Moscou. Les services russes alimentés par l'IA ne sont pas à la hauteur de la tâche, car ils sont codés pour refuser de répondre à des questions liées à la guerre afin d'éviter d'enfreindre la loi.

‘Pirate’ Western cars go on sale PRO Members Public
Almost all international car brands have left Russia since the start of the war, and it has become impossible to continue making authentic and licensed foreign vehicles from Russian factories. However, a loophole has emerged that enables Russian companies to manufacture so-called “pirate” cars, branded as Western models without the