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: Russian propaganda on the Middle-East conflict PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we highlight the main Russian propaganda talking points on the Israel-Hamas conflict. We also cover how the arrest of a US-Russian reporter marks yet another escalation in Russia’s campaign against independent journalism, and why Putin wants to bring back sporting parades beloved by Josef Stalin. Pro-Kremlin
THE BELL WEEKLY: Why Putin is backing Hamas PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our top story covers what Moscow has to gain from the Hamas-Israel conflict and why Putin is openly backing the Palestinians. We also look at a billionaire’s return to Russia amid a new campaign against emigrants, and analyze a new religious appointment for Putin’s personal
THE BELL WEEKLY: The Putin-linked scion behind Russia’s ‘YouTube killer’ PRO Members Public
Hello! This week our main story looks inside the VKontakte social network at how a Russian nepo baby with family connections to Putin is trying to turn “Russia’s Facebook” into a viable home-grown alternative to YouTube. We also analyze the latest annual Valdai meeting, and ask one of Russia’
THE BELL WEEKLY: Ramzan Kadyrov’s mystery illness PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at yet another round of rumors over the deteriorating health of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and assess his standing with the Kremlin following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. We also unpick what a record court case in London brought by a jailed Russian billionaire could
THE BELL WEEKLY: A blow to Russia in the Caucasus PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we look at how Azerbaijan’s use of military force to seize control of Nagorno-Karabakh has dealt yet another blow to Russia’s standing in the Caucasus. We also summarize a new investigation into Dialog, a major player in the Kremlin’s online propaganda machine, and assess
THE BELL WEEKLY: The Sanctions Paradox PRO Members Public
Hello! Before we get down to the news, another announcement: For the past year, The Moscow Times has been our partner in this newsletter. But starting this fall, we have made the decision to develop our products separately. Nothing will change for you — you will continue to receive this newsletter
THE BELL WEEKLY: Many Russians surprised by European ban on imports for personal use PRO Members Public
Hello! Before we get down to the news, an announcement: For almost five years The Bell has been providing you with weekly expertise and insight on what’s happening inside Russia. As ever, we are deeply grateful for your support — and for reading our newsletters. Soon, our newsletters will become
THE BELL WEEKLY: The richest Russian gives an exemplary statement about the mood of the oligarchs PRO Members Public
This week’s big story was Andrei Melnichenko; the richest man in Russia spoke in detail about the war and sanctions in an interview with FT. Melnichenko’s interview must be bookmarked as an exemplary statement about the mood among leading Russian business figures. It is far more representative than
THE BELL WEEKLY: Prigozhin’s legacy PRO Members Public
Hello! This week we explore the fallout from Yevgeny Prigozhin’s dramatic death last Wednesday. In this newsletter, we’ll explore how a restaraunt owner from St. Petersburg became one of the most powerful businessmen in Russia, and what will happen to his businesses now he’s gone. Who will
THE BELL WEEKLY: More Than Just an Exchange Rate PRO Members Public
Hello! This week, in our main story we explain why Russians take the ruble exchange rate so personally that its devaluation is a serious political problem for the Kremlin. Then we turn to a failed launch of a Russian lunar station. Finaly, we look at how one of the most
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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
