Russia's federal communications watchdog agency Roskomnadzor has signed an order to issue a certificate of registration in Russia for the popular US-based news channel CNN, the agency's spokesperson told the press.

      Vadim Apelonsky has confirmed that the order was signed today and it now has to be transferred to the US channel.

      CNN stopped broadcasting on cable and satellite networks in Russia on December 31, 2014, because of the recent changes in Russian media legislation. In particular, Russian officials prohibited Russian chargeable TV-channels from showing commercials on the air. The CNN's heads then found it inconveniently for the channel with an international broadcasting to cut out the commercials for one country only.

      Shortly after CNN's announcement of leaving Russian networks, Roskomnadzor said it was in talks with the channel on legal opportunities to return to Russia, noting that both parties were interested in the resumption of broadcasts.