Today in Russian Business – May 11, 2012

Reuters reports on the possible effects the Sukhoi Superjet tragedy will have on Russia’s aerospace industry.  ‘Although some buyers may react emotionally, an isolated incident cannot threaten any plans’ says Aleksei Sinitsky, the editor of Russia’s “Aviatransport Review” magazine in RFE/RL.  Shares in long-distance phone operator Rostelecom rose the most in two months after a Vedomosti report stated that President Putin ordered the completion of its merger with national telecommunications holding Svyazinvest.  State development bank VEB may extend a $500 million loan to Belarus to help fund the construction of a new nuclear power plant.  Russian real estate investment company O1 Properties confirmed it has decided to delay its London initial public offering, as a result of adverse market conditions.  Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili has reportedly sold his Russian bank Rossyisky Credit to a group of private investors for $352 million.  Poor pay is apparently the reason for Russia’s doctor deficit.