Today in Russian Business – May 24, 2010

The Moscow Times has quoted Mirax Group owner Sergei Polonsky as saying that as many as 85% of Russian businessmen ‘have their bags packed’ and are ready to leave the country because they do not trust the government.  Putin is, it seems, having second thoughts about the customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan as ‘it would jeopardize whole industries in Russia’.  RFE/RL reports that the talks between the three nations have failed.  Ukraine looking for a free trade zone with its Eastern neighbor?  The Telegraph examines the lofty ambitions of Digital Sky Technologies.  Property developer Yelena Baturina has opened a defamation case against opposition agitator Boris Nemtsov.  According to Bloomberg, foreign direct investment in Russia fell an annual 17.6% to $2.6 billion in the first quarter.  Russia’s second biggest airline, Transaero is considering an IPO in the fall to raise $200 million.