According to the spokesperson for Sverdlovsk Region Railways, there have so far been eight bomb alarms concerning their premises since the beginning of the year, five of which had to do with the alleged mining of Yekaterinburg railway station and one with mining of Perm railway station. One instance involved placing some mines within a railway carriage, and another – mining the railways proper. All the alarms turned out to be groundless. Each case of ‘false mining’ resulted in criminal action (Article 207 of Russian Criminal Code, ‘Reporting knowingly false information about a terrorist act’)

‘The debt of Yekaterinburg Winery JSC has recently been bought by CentroCredit CJSC of Moscow. Apparently, this Moscow bank made proposals to three banks who were the creditors of the winery,’ the company’s trustee in bankruptcy Eduard Chu said to UrBC representative. According to Mr Chu, the transaction is going to cost around 250m RUR. He also said that the total assessment of the assets of the winery was still in process as the procedure had not been approved of by the Federal Property Management Agency.

Chairman of RAO UES of Russia Anatoliy Chubais signed a protocol that enumerates 16 power facilities located in the ‘dramatically overloaded regions’ that could experience electricity cuts in the coming winter. Yekaterinburg was on the list among the other 15 places. According to the spokesperson for Yekaterinburg Electrical Network Company, over twenty local businesses were asked to think of some electricity-saving measures in August 2006. If the temperature does not come any lower than 25 degrees centigrade below this winter, all the power facilities should handle the workload okay.

Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Nizhniy Tagil (part of Evraz Group) has been awarded the Mayor’s diploma for extensive charity work. The company traditionally runs about ten charity and support projects. Evraz Group is keenly aware of their social liabilities as a corporation, this is why their activity is targeted at providing long-term cooperation between business and society. The Complex usually supports development of educational and national healthcare establishments, cultural and sports facilities, and religious and social bodies. This year, the company has already helped over 80

Sredneuralskiy Winery Ltd. (part of AVS-group) applied to Federal Tax Service for a license permitting them to produce alcohol-containing drinks in July 2006. As Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Provision Sergey Latzkov said to UrBC representative, the company still has not got a license, so it is unable to resume its activity.

Magnesite Industrial Complex (part of Magnesite Group) has raised its refractory goods and commercial powders output by 6.2% (up to 254,900 tons) and by 13.7% (up to 526,900 tons), respectively, throughout January to August 2006 compared to the corresponding months of 2005. In the eight months of this year, the company has shipped 8.9% more powders (up to 526,900 tons) and 2.2% more refractory goods (over 243,800 tons), reported the company’s Production Management Director B. Ponomarev.

Real estate of Korkinskaya confectionery has been put up to tender. The area of the premises is 15,080 square meters, with the total area of buildings and other structures coming to 5,740 square meters. The opening bid is 8m RUR.