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. Also: Central Asia Digest · Caucasus wire.
The United States suspended sanctions and tariffs on Russian oil buyers, while Russia's gasoline market remains short of supply and inflation data show moderate price growth.
President Donald Trump signed an order on 17 October that formally provides for 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and 500% tariffs on imports from Russia, but suspends both measures at once. The law required the measures by 18 October unless the president waived them in the national interest. The waiver is open-ended and can be reviewed at any time. Sanctions imposed before the law remain in force. For foreign businesses, the decision removes an immediate tariff risk for trade with Russia and its main energy customers, but the risk of reinstatement remains.
Source: Interfax, 17 Oct 2026
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said a partial gasoline deficit of about 5% persists on the domestic market, although the situation has improved over recent weeks. Oil companies have raised fuel output and postponed planned refinery repairs. Imports cover the remaining gap, and Novak said Russia will keep buying gasoline abroad at least until the end of the year. Fuel supply remains a cost and logistics risk for companies operating in Russia.
Source: Interfax, 16 Oct 2026
The Bank of Russia said food prices nationwide were unchanged in September. Fuel rose more slowly than in June and July, and prices fell or stayed flat in a third of regions. Services became noticeably more expensive in most regions, with education rising faster than usual. Rosstat data cited in the article show consumer prices rose 0.11% between 6 and 12 October and 6.1% since the start of the year. Services inflation is the main component to watch for companies planning wage and pricing decisions.
Source: Vedomosti, 16 Oct 2026
The International Grains Council lowered its 2026/27 forecast for Russian wheat exports by 2.1 million tonnes to 39.4 million tonnes. This follows cuts of 3.7 million tonnes in September and 2.5 million tonnes in August. Total Russian grain exports are now forecast at 46 million tonnes, down from 48 million. The Council kept its Russian harvest estimate at 129 million tonnes, including 88.4 million tonnes of wheat, and put EU wheat exports at 32.5 million tonnes. Buyers and traders should factor in lower Russian availability this season.
Source: Interfax, 16 Oct 2026
Social Fund chairman Sergei Chirkov told the State Duma budget committee that insurance pensions will be indexed twice in 2027: by 6.8% from 1 February, in line with inflation, and by a further 3.3% from 1 April. Average payments to non-working old-age pensioners will rise by more than 2,000 rubles per month to 30,200 rubles. The indexation adds to budget spending commitments and to household income growth, which supports domestic consumption.
Source: Kommersant, 16 Oct 2026
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