Russia E-commerce Intelligence Daily 2026-09-05

Day at a glance

Donald Trump said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling to Moscow and Kyiv 'with a proposal to end the war'; the trip is scheduled for 5–6 September. Dmitry Peskov replied that there are still no concrete preconditions for a settlement, but work and contacts continue.
Russia's Defence Ministry reported 480 Ukrainian drones shot down over Russian regions between 08:00 and 20:00 Moscow time on Friday, 6,093 for the week. Sochi and the Sirius federal territory came under a massive attack and an oil depot caught fire; the regional governor warned of a possible fuel-supply squeeze at the resort's filling stations.
Central Bank data: broad money supply M2 grew 1.2% m/m in August to 137.3 trillion rubles, with annual growth easing from 13.0% to 12.9%. The MOEX index closed at 2,253.41 (+1.8%), up 5.3–6.5% over the week.
The Justice Ministry added the online outlet Novaya Gazeta to the foreign agents register. Former communications minister Nikolai Nikiforov was charged in absentia over the Finiko pyramid scheme.

Central Bank official rates2026-09-04 · cbr.ru

USD/RUB86.8872

EUR/RUB100.598

CNY/RUB12.9191

Politics & Governance

Putin proposes consolidating patriotic tourism programmes on a single information resource

On 4 September, at a meeting of the Russian 'Victory' organising committee, Vladimir Putin proposed merging all state and regional patriotic tourism programmes onto a single information resource 'so that people can conveniently choose a route based on their means, interests and group composition.' Under the national Tourism and Hospitality project, domestic trips should reach 140 million a year by 2030; the 'More Than a Trip' project has already mapped 140-plus routes to military glory sites across 51 regions, while the Military Historical Society has over 200 'Roads of Victory' routes.

Dual sources verified 📰 Интерфакс / МК 🕒 MSK 18:05

Justice Ministry adds online outlet Novaya Gazeta to the foreign agents register

On 4 September Russia's Justice Ministry updated the foreign agents register, adding the online outlet Novaya Gazeta. It said the outlet 'disseminated unreliable information about decisions taken by public authorities and the policies they pursue, as well as about Russia's electoral system'; speaking out against the special military operation and circulating other foreign agents' materials were also cited. Poet Sergey Leybgrad, writer and journalist Felix Sandalov, actress Tatyana Tatarinova and the academic journal The Historical Expertise were added in the same batch.

Official source 📰 МК / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 17:37

Former communications minister Nikiforov charged in absentia over the Finiko pyramid scheme

Interior Ministry investigators charged former communications minister Nikolai Nikiforov in absentia under Article 210 (organising a criminal community) and Article 159 part 4 (large-scale fraud). Investigators allege he organised the Finiko pyramid, which took 5 billion rubles from 8,000 depositors, with funds moved abroad via Innopolis Architect, a company he co-founded. Finiko operated from 2019 to 2021, promising returns on securities and crypto investments that were never made. A female co-founder was extradited from Turkey in March 2026.

Single source 📰 Ведомости / Коммерсантъ 🕒 MSK —

Economy & Finance

[Update] Broad money supply up 1.2% in August, annual growth eases to 12.9%

Compared with the CBR research bulletin of 2 September ('money supply up 13% y/y in July'), actual August data are now out: per the Central Bank's website, M2 rose 1.2% m/m in August to 137.3 trillion rubles (July: +0.6%), with annual growth on 1 September easing to 12.9% from 13.0% on 1 August. Broad money excluding FX revaluation (M2X) grew 1.2% (July: +0.5%), with annual growth slowing to 12.4% from 12.6%. Monthly growth of cash M0 slowed to 1.9% from 2.9%, but annual growth rose to 20.9% from 20.2%; M0's share climbed to 15.1%.

Official source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 18:13

MOEX index breaks 2,250; CBR sets dollar rate at 86.5857 rubles from 5 September

At the close of main trading on 4 September the MOEX index stood at 2,253.41 (+1.8%, session high 2,265.97) and the RTS at 819.85 (+2.1%). Gains were driven by expectations of renewed Ukraine talks, but capped by softer oil (November Brent near $95.4/bbl), a firmer ruble and pre-weekend profit-taking. Leaders included Aeroflot (+6.5%), Ozon (+4.6%), En+ Group (+3.9%) and Yandex (+3.8%). Over the week the indices gained 5.3–6.5%. The CBR's official dollar rate from 5 September is 86.5857 rubles, down 30.15 kopecks.

Single source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 19:11

Oil companies to receive about 280 billion rubles in fuel damper payments for August

According to preliminary estimates by research group Petromarket, August fuel damper payouts to oil companies will run to about 100 billion rubles for gasoline and 180 billion for diesel — roughly 280 billion in total. The August damper is 29,400 rubles/tonne for gasoline and 41,200 for diesel, up 6,300 and 12,000 respectively from July, reflecting higher external prices and ruble depreciation (monthly average 77.8 rubles/$ in July vs 83.1 in August). By comparison, 197.3 billion was paid in August for July and 113 billion in July for June, with 898.9 billion over the first seven months of 2026. Deputy PM Alexander Novak said no changes to the damper formula are planned. The mechanism has operated since 2019.

Single source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 18:08

International & Diplomacy

Trump: envoys carrying a proposal to end the war head to Moscow and Kyiv

On 4 September in the Oval Office, Donald Trump told reporters that envoys Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are going to Moscow and Kyiv 'carrying a proposal to end the war': 'We sent them to see if something can be done. There's a chance we can solve it.' He said the US has 'an idea for a peaceful solution' and called the pair 'two great negotiators.' Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the same day that there are still no concrete preconditions for a settlement, but 'work is continuing and contacts are continuing'; the Kremlin will announce Putin's contacts with the envoys 'when they take place.' Media reports put the trip on 5–6 September, Moscow first, then Kyiv.

Dual sources verified 📰 Ведомости / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 22:03

[Update] Berlin demands around 70 staff of Russia's Bonn consulate-general leave Germany

Compared with 3 September ('Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a tough warning of countermeasures over the closure of the Bonn consulate-general'), concrete numbers and arrangements have emerged: Consul-General Oleg Krasnitsky said around 70 employees have been ordered to leave, 'plus family members and children,' and the mission is drawing up a departure plan. On 1 September German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had announced the closure of the Berlin Russian House and the Bonn consulate-general plus tighter entry rules for Russian citizens, after drones were found at Leipzig airport. On 2 September Russia's MFA summoned Germany's chargé d'affaires and said Moscow had nothing to do with the incident. On 4 September Ambassador Sergey Nechayev said Russia will announce countermeasures; Maria Zakharova called the response 'tough.'

Official source 📰 Ведомости / РИА Новости 🕒 MSK —

Russia sends urgent appeal to ICAO chief over Kyiv's airspace notices

On 4 September Russia's Foreign Ministry said it had sent an urgent appeal to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar over Kyiv's statements aimed at creating direct threats to civil aviation, adding that Russian authorities are in contact with ICAO leadership in Montreal. Moscow lodged a 'firm protest' over Ukraine's 'reckless terrorist actions contrary to international law' and 'categorically rejected' Kyiv's NOTAM notices claiming Russian airspace is unsafe, calling them 'legally void, distorting the real situation and misleading users.' It urged the Secretary General to condemn Kyiv's interference and take targeted measures. ICAO headquarters confirmed to TASS that the letter was received and will be answered in due course. The backdrop is Zelensky's threat to close Russian skies with drones; Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said such threats are factored in.

Official source 📰 МК / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 23:23

Society & Livelihood

Health Ministry suspends registration of Hungarian drug Dekaris

By order of Russia's Health Ministry, the registration certificate for the Hungarian anthelmintic drug Dekaris has been suspended from 1 September pending submission of materials supporting its renewal. The grounds are a Roszdravnadzor finding that levamisole-containing medicines pose a health risk. The document was published in the state register of medicines. Dekaris is made by Hungary's Gedeon Richter; its active substance is levamisole.

Official source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 16:28

Poll: 44% of Russians call remote work the ideal format

A joint poll by Roskachestvo's Consumer Behaviour Study Centre and Finance Mail (1,500 respondents aged 18+ across Russian cities) found 44% consider remote work the ideal format, 41% prefer hybrid, 10% full-time office and 3% say the format does not matter. 45% are satisfied with their remote schedule versus 2% who disagree; 10% are satisfied with office work versus 17% dissatisfied. In practice only 27% have found remote work, 26% work in an office, 18% hybrid, and 9% are in factories or production. 45% say they perform better at home, 24% say location makes no difference. VCIOM data show remote work prevalence doubled from 8% to 16% over four years, while hybrid rose from 23% to 34%.

Single source 📰 Ведомости 🕒 MSK —

Incidents & Military

[Update] Air defences destroyed 480 Ukrainian drones in a day, 6,093 in a week

Compared with 3 September (roughly one hundred drones toward Moscow, 94 downed per Sobyanin), full-day and weekly figures are now available: the Defence Ministry said that between 08:00 and 20:00 Moscow time on 4 September, 480 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were intercepted and destroyed over Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk and Tula regions, the Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai, Crimea and the Black Sea. For the week, 6,093 drones were downed along with 49 guided aerial bombs, 19 HIMARS rockets and eight long-range Flamingo cruise missiles; another 490 were intercepted overnight into 4 September. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported 19 more drones shot down heading for the capital (65 for the day).

Official source 📰 Ведомости / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 20:41

Mass drone attack on Sochi and Sirius sets oil depot alight; governor warns of fuel squeeze

Krasnodar Krai governor Veniamin Kondratyev said at an operational meeting on 4 September that Ukrainian drones struck the region again overnight, with 'the main blow falling on civilian infrastructure and apartment buildings in Sochi'; falling debris started a fire at an oil depot, which 'could complicate the fuel situation at the resort's filling stations — this must not be allowed.' City authorities said air-quality instrument readings in Sochi's Adler district and on the Sirius federal territory were within norms; preliminary information indicated no casualties, with life-support systems, social, utilities and transport infrastructure running normally and the spa and tourism sector fully operational. Firefighting continued through the day and the burned area was not disclosed; public transport restrictions in Sochi were lifted in the evening and the airport resumed flights.

Official source 📰 МК / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 10:27

Two women and a teenager wounded in drone attacks in Belgorod region

Belgorod region's operational HQ reported three people wounded on 4 September: a 14-year-old girl was taken to the regional children's clinical hospital with acoustic barotrauma from a drone detonation in the settlement of Proletarsky, Rakityansky district; in Oktyabrsky, Belgorod district, a woman suffered shrapnel wounds to her arms and legs when an FPV drone exploded and was hospitalised in serious condition before transfer to Belgorod; in Borisovsky district near the village of Khotmyzhsk a drone struck a car, leaving a woman with multiple shrapnel wounds being rushed to the regional clinical hospital in serious condition. In the village of Krasny Oktyabr an FPV drone damaged the roof and windows of an apartment building.

Official source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 21:52

[Update] Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,287

Compared with 1 September (939 dead, about 3,900 missing including some 600 foreigners), Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority said on 4 September the toll had risen to 1,287, with more than 13,000 people rescued and over 5,000 still missing, including 583 foreigners. The heaviest losses are in Chitwan (359), East Nawalparasi (219) and West Nawalparasi (212); the most missing are in Rasuwa (about 2,130) and Nuwakot (about 2,340). Over 21,000 security personnel are deployed. The flood hit northern Nepal on 26 August; the preliminary cause is a glacial avalanche triggered by an earthquake, followed by a mudflow down the Lhende Khola river about 20 km north-east of the Rasuwagadhi crossing on the Chinese border.

Single source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 15:31

Industry & Business

Developer PIK to delist, squeezing out minorities at 551.4 rubles per share

PJSC PIK Specialized Developer announced on its disclosure feed on 4 September that its board will consider on 7 September whether to put delisting to an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, alongside the buyout price for dissenting holders. Majority shareholder Nedvizhimye Aktivy has served notice of its right to squeeze out remaining shares: it now holds slightly over 98%, with minorities below 2%. The buyout price matches the April tender offer at 551.4 rubles per share; the register of holders is fixed on 20 October. Following the April offer, Nedvizhimye Aktivy (which controlled 84.88% together with affiliates) acquired about 13%. The price is 17% above the initially set 473.15 rubles after the Central Bank ordered a recalculation, noting that October's share-price drop followed the board's cancellation of the dividend policy and reverse-split proposal. PIK shares are on the MOEX first quotation list.

Official source 📰 Ведомости / Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 20:12

Agriculture Ministry: over 110 million tonnes of grain harvested; wheat forecast at 88.5 million tonnes

Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said at a seasonal field-work HQ meeting on 4 September that Russia has harvested over 110 million tonnes of grain, including 83.5 million tonnes of wheat — 10.5 million tonnes more than a year earlier — with about 70% of grain and legume area threshed and domestic demand fully covered. Oilseeds stand at 3.3 million tonnes; 44 regions are sowing winter crops on 2.3 million hectares (2.1 million a year earlier). She said fuel supply for farmers has stabilised and urged regions not to lose winter-crop area. The same day analysts ProZerno and IKAR both revised their 2026 wheat forecast to 88.5 million tonnes, against 91.1 million in 2025 — ProZerno raised its estimate from 87.5 million while IKAR cut from 90 million — with total grain at nearly 134.9 million tonnes. ProZerno's Vladimir Petrichenko noted record-low sown area (down 6% y/y) but yields of 32.8 centners per hectare, the second-best on record after 33.2 in 2022.

Single source 📰 Интерфакс 🕒 MSK 14:23

Science, Education, Culture & Sports

14th Cosmoscow contemporary art fair opens in Moscow

On 4 September the 14th Cosmoscow contemporary art fair opened across two floors of Moscow's Timiryazev Centre, running to 6 September (10:00–20:00, public hours from 12:00). The fair has grown again: over 17,000 sq m, 112 gallery booths, four foreign-section booths, 11 non-commercial cultural projects and more than 20 partner blocks. Artist of the Year Igor Samolet presents 'Splash,' a 15-metre conveyor tracing the life cycle of an artistic idea — glass balls fall and shatter, the shards are swept into an envelope a visitor can buy. Founder Margarita Pushkina says contemporary art is ceasing to be the preserve of a narrow professional circle. Many works had already sold at the 3 September preview.

Single source 📰 Ведомости 🕒 MSK —

[Update] Daniil Medvedev reaches US Open fourth round in straight sets

Compared with 1 September ('Medvedev reaches US Open second round'), on 4 September he beat France's Arthur Rinderknech 6:4, 6:4, 6:4 in the third round to reach the fourth round (last 16). Medvedev is ranked eighth in the world, his opponent 29th. His next opponent is to be determined. The tournament is being played in New York.

Official source 📰 Интерфакс-Спорт 🕒 MSK 23:02

Edmond Khudoyan wins his seventh Russian boxing title

On 4 September in Saransk, at the Russian men's boxing championships, Edmond Khudoyan beat Volodya Mnatsakanyan in the 48 kg final to take his seventh national title; bronzes went to Viktor Yermolin and Dmitry Aydyshaa. Other champions crowned the same day: Rasul Saliev (51 kg), Timurbek Mamadaliev (54 kg), Andrey Peglivanyan (57 kg), Ruslan Belousov (60 kg), Ilya Popov (63.5 kg), Yegor Kozorezov (67 kg), Alexander Zyryanov (71 kg), Sergey Sergeyev (75 kg), Beshto Shavlaev (80 kg), Savely Sadoma (86 kg), Denis Kozlov (92 kg) and Vladislav Muravin (over 92 kg).

Dual sources verified 📰 РИА Новости / Интерфакс-Спорт 🕒 MSK 23:04

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