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.
Russian diesel exports to the United States are moving towards contracts as Washington pauses new sanctions, while balance-of-payments data show external income lagging the central bank's forecast.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russian diesel will reach the US market within 15 to 20 days of commercial contracts being signed. He said the US Department of Energy has named the counterparties and that a temporary OFAC licence valid until April covers transport and insurance. Russia is ready to raise supplies from 500,000 to 3.5 million tonnes a month, provided its refineries operate. US President Donald Trump suspended the tariffs required under the Graham law; Brent futures were at $107.91 per barrel on ICE at 08:15 Moscow time, down 1.77%. Existing sanctions remain in force, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Source: Interfax, Interfax, 18-19 Oct 2026
Bank of Russia data show the current account surplus rose to $35 billion in January-August 2026, from $21 billion a year earlier. The net outflow on income payments to foreign investors reached $22.9 billion in eight months, above the $22 billion deficit the central bank assumed for the full year. Kommersant notes that meeting the central bank's expected annual surplus of $48 billion would require stronger trade results than the regulator projected. S&P Global analysts caution that announced diesel volumes may match existing supplies.
Source: Kommersant, 19 Oct 2026
Gazprom shares rose 3.9% to a peak of 112.6 rubles on the Moscow Exchange, the first time above 112 rubles since 16 June. Novatek gained 3.5% and Surgutneftegaz 3.3%. The move followed a New York Times report that US envoys discussed resuming Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. Finam's Yaroslav Kabakov warned that such gains can be speculative; the central bank holds its rate meeting on 23 October.
Source: Forbes Russia, 19 Oct 2026
Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the Accounts Chamber's proposal to raise the gold mining tax rate, alongside an excess-profits tax, is justified but needs further study. The Accounts Chamber's opinion on the 2027-2029 draft budget cites a long-term rise in the global gold price. Volodin also backed narrowing the 10% reduced VAT rate for delicacies. Gold producers and investors should expect tax changes in the 2027 budget cycle.
Source: Interfax, 19 Oct 2026
Travelline data cited by Kommersant show hotel bookings down 5.3% year on year, with stays shortening by 2% to 2.4 nights. Average prices rose only 0.9% to 9,400 rubles per night. Operators attribute the decline to fuel supply disruptions and air-travel interruptions that reduced domestic and foreign travel. Moscow average rates fell 3.7% to 8,400 rubles.
Source: Forbes Russia, citing Kommersant, 18 Oct 2026
The day's most important Russian economic stories. Free, in your inbox three times a week.
Mon, Wed, Fri. Double opt-in, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you consent to the processing of your email address as described in our Privacy Policy.