Russie, Expliqué
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. From May 1, 2025, it will go behind a paywall.
THE BELL WEEKLY: The arrest of Pavel Durov PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we bring you an extended look at the arrest of Pavel Durov in France — covering the Telegram founder’s history in Russia, what we know so far about his shock arrest and what it could mean for the platform. Durov’s French affair Late Saturday evening at
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin downplays Ukraine’s border offensive PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover how the Kremlin has tried to downplay and distance Putin from Ukraine’s surprise offensive into the Kursk region. We also look at a slew of new repressive laws signed into force and why Moscow slowing down YouTube isn’t affecting the popularity of anti-government
THE BELL WEEKLY: Historic prisoner swap highlights rifts in Russian society PRO Members Public
Hello. This week we look at the controversy surrounding the historic prisoner exchange between Russia and the West. We also bring you a snapshot of our investigation into Russia’s “Hairspray King” — a little-known billionaire and major winner from the exodus of Western firms. Opposition leaders, newly freed, stoke controversy
THE BELL WEEKLY: Primetime scandal at Russia’s Amazon PRO Members Public
Bonjour ! Cette semaine, nous nous penchons sur un scandale retentissant au sein de Wildberries - la réponse russe à Amazon - et sur la manière dont l'homme fort tchétchène Ramzan Kadyrov s'est retrouvé impliqué dans le divorce de la fondatrice. Nous évoquons également les propagandistes russes qui s'en donnent à cœur joie lors de la cérémonie d'ouverture des Jeux olympiques et les vétérans de guerre qui sont poussés à la faute.
THE BELL WEEKLY. ‘More than hype’: Yandex founder bets on AI PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we spoke to Yandex founder Arkady Volozh about his new business venture following the multi-billion-dollar break-up of the Russian tech giant. We also look at how a university appointment reveals the Kremlin’s deepening control over the most liberal corners of higher education. Yandex founder tells The
THE BELL WEEKLY: The Kremlin versus YouTube PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover Russian authorities slowing down traffic to YouTube and WhatsApp. We also look at the latest targeting of anti-war exiles and why a plane crash has shone a light on Russia’s import substitution drive. Russia puts the brakes on YouTube, WhatsApp After abandoning plans to
THE BELL WEEKLY: Kremlin goes all-in on online elections PRO Members Public
Hello. This week we look at how the Kremlin is embracing online voting — and how it further streamlines the manipulation of elections. We also look at how a state-backed mortgage program fuelled inequality and a housing bubble, and a landmark sentence designed to scare Russia’s intelligentsia. Online voting, electronic
THE BELL WEEKLY: Tough talk from Russia’s top investigator PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we cover a raft of hardline proposals from the head of the Investigative Committee, look at how Russia reacted to the US presidential debate and the buzz around Kanye West’s rumored visit to Moscow. A string of hardline proposals from Russia’s chief investigator Russia is
THE BELL WEEKLY: A wild deal for Russia’s largest online retailer PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at a curious merger deal involving Russia’s largest online retailer, a coordinated terror attack in Dagestan and how Russia’s “alternative” Olympics has descended into a laughing stock. Wildberries set for new Putin-approved shareholders A very strange deal is in the works involving Russia’
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
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The Bell a été fondé en 2017 par les journalistes Elizaveta Osetinskaya, Irina Malkova et Peter Mironenko en tant que média indépendant des autorités russes, après que ses fondateurs ont été limogés de leur poste de rédacteurs en chef du plus grand site d'information russe, RBC, en raison des pressions exercées par le Kremlin.
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Analyse exclusive de l'économie et de la politique russes
