Today in Russian Business – Jan 4, 2011

President Medvedev has reportedly signed a decree to reduce the number of civil servants by 20% within three years.  This article explores Digital Sky Technology’s numerous business interests in the US, besides Facebook.  The New York Times’ Andrew E Kramer explores the Russian interest in the social network site.  Gold miner Petropavlovsk is about to gain its first female board member, Dr Alya Samokhvalova, as part of a shakeup of its management, says the Independent.