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 State Duma budget committee advanced the three-year federal budget, while business groups pushed back on the accompanying tax bill and the US debate over Russian diesel imports intensified.
The State Duma budget committee recommended the draft federal budget for 2027–2029 for adoption in the first reading, with two abstentions. Planned 2027 spending is 48.8 trillion rubles against revenue of 43.3 trillion rubles, implying a deficit of 5.443 trillion rubles, or 2.2% of GDP, versus 1.2% in the current budget law. The budget rule assumes a base oil price of $50 per barrel in 2027–2030 and inflation of up to 4% in each year. The plenary vote is planned for 29 October.
Source: Interfax, 26 Oct 2026
Opora Rossii has proposed amendments to the tax bill submitted to the Duma on 30 September as a companion to the budget package. It objects to removing the ban on the Federal Tax Service issuing normative legal acts, arguing this could weaken taxpayer protections and the predictability of tax administration. It also asks for minimum notice periods before changes to tax payment deadlines take effect. The Finance Ministry said proposals judged expedient may be included in amendments for the second reading.
Source: Forbes Russia, 26 Oct 2026
Democratic US Representative Jamie Raskin wrote to the American Petroleum Institute and a fuel producers' association that companies importing Russian diesel would be held accountable, citing possible civil and criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, according to Politico. A White House spokesman said the diesel deal with Russia complies with all applicable laws. Congressional Democrats have also asked banks and ports to preserve records of transactions with Russia. Legal risk for US counterparties in Russian fuel trade therefore remains high.
Source: Interfax, 27 Oct 2026
Gazprombank reports that exporters' foreign currency sales rose by $4.9 billion in September compared with August, to $23.7 billion. Sales by the largest exporters monitored by the Central Bank fell by $0.3 billion to $2.1 billion, the lowest since 2022. In October, higher export revenue and the quarterly additional-income tax payment should support currency supply. Tax receipts may reach 0.8–1 trillion rubles, against 0.5 trillion rubles in September.
Source: Kommersant, 27 Oct 2026
Kommersant reports, citing insurance market sources, that the Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) may introduce a 200 billion ruble loss threshold for terrorism and sabotage risks. If an insurer's losses from events after 1 October 2026 exceed it, the reinsurance tariff would rise from 1% to 50% of the maximum aggregate limit and reinsurer liability limits would fall five-fold. One expert estimates RNRC's total liability for these risks at 18–25 trillion rubles. The Russian Union of Insurers noted the rules have changed at least three times this year.
Source: Forbes Russia, 26 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.