The Russian budget is expected to lack some RUR 10 trillion, or $300 billion, until 2020 to deliver on the promises given by the authorities

Rosneft has approved a supply contract with BP worth $2.2 billion, says Vedomosti.

The Economic Development Ministry has downgraded its GDP forecast for 2013 and 2014.

Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov may be looking to step up his political profile ahead of the 2014 election into the Moscow City Legislature.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov called ruble’s fall, which happened on Wednesday, light ripples. On Wednesday, at the end of trading on Moscow stock exchange ruble fell by 25 kopecks against dollar – to 33.19 rubles and 32 kopecks against euro – to 45.02 rubles.