What Kommersant, RBC, Vedomosti, Interfax and Forbes Russia report — selected and summarized in English every morning, for readers who don't read Russian. Analysis-grade sourcing, no wire rehash. Data context in the Russia Terminal. Regional wires: Central Asia · Caucasus.
Russia's diesel export opening, the EU's 22nd sanctions package and a weak start to the grain export season set the tone on 12–13 October, while the central bank tied next year's rate cuts to fiscal consolidation.
The US Treasury's OFAC published a general licence on 9 October allowing Russian diesel exports until 7 April 2027. On 10 October the Russian government partially lifted its diesel export ban, allowing 0.5 million tonnes to go to world markets. US President Donald Trump has spoken of larger volumes, but Forbes notes Moscow has confirmed only the 0.5 million tonnes. Analysts quoted by Forbes say refinery downtime and logistics limit how fast shipments can start. Contract terms are undisclosed, and Petersburg exchange wholesale diesel quotes stand at 67,092 rubles (about $790) per tonne.
Source: Forbes Russia, 13 Oct 2026
EU foreign ministers approved the package, which covers almost 1,600 individuals and companies, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. More than half of the new listings relate to the ballistic missile supply chain, she said. Listed entities include developer Samolet, GAZ (which owns the Gorky Automobile Plant), Admiralty Shipyards, the Zvezda shipyard and Kordiant. Samolet said its operations continue as planned. Foreign suppliers and banks dealing with these groups face added compliance risk.
Source: Forbes Russia, 12 Oct 2026
Central bank deputy governor Alexei Zabotkin told the State Duma that the planned cut in the structural primary deficit is an important, though not the only, condition for lowering the key rate in 2027. The government projects the deficit at 1.8% of GDP in 2026 and 0.6% in 2027, reaching zero in 2029. The key rate is 14% after ten consecutive cuts, and the next board meeting is on 23 October. The bank's July forecast puts the 2027 average rate at 10.5–12.5%. For investors, rate relief depends on fiscal discipline as much as on inflation.
Source: Interfax, 12 Oct 2026
Russia's goods trade surplus on a balance-of-payments basis reached $91.6 billion in January–August, up 25% year on year, according to central bank data. Exports rose 17.6% to $312.4 billion and imports 14.7% to $220.8 billion. Turnover was $533.2 billion, up 16.4%. In August alone the surplus was $11.7 billion, down 11.7% from July but up 61.4% year on year. Import growth signals continued domestic demand for foreign goods.
Source: Interfax, 12 Oct 2026
Port grain shipments in the first ten days of October were 436,000 tonnes, 5.3 times lower than the 2.3 million tonnes a year earlier, according to the Russian Grain Union. Wheat went to 12 countries versus 21 a year ago. Separately, IKAR cut its 2026 grain harvest forecast to 137 million tonnes and export potential to 52.8 million tonnes. The US Department of Agriculture lowered its 2026/27 Russian wheat export estimate by 3 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes. Buyers in North Africa and the Middle East may face tighter supply.
Source: Interfax, 12 Oct 2026