Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, announced yesterday that the global financial crisis has spread to the country's real economy. Medvedev assured the public that all sectors will receive government aid. Russia is currently pushing ahead with a $200 billion state aid package and hopes to spend a total of $182.3 billion on stabilization measures.

Russia's Agency for Housing Mortgage lending, AIZhK, unveiled a liquidity plan that includes $18.55 billion worth of guarantees offered to mortgage-backed securities. This plan would allow commercial banks to attain more loans from the Central Bank at a time where other sources of funding are scarce due to the global credit crunch.

Russia and China signed a deal for the construction of the first railway bridge between the two countries. The bridge would create a supply route for iron ore produced by Americon, a miner company. The bridge would allow the company to save $40 million annually, while delivering its supplies to the Chinese border.

Russia's Rosneft and China's CNPC plan to sign a oil supply deal by the end of the week. The companies' current supply deal expires in 2010. Having agreed on the price formula for the new contract, Rosneft and CNPC will continue their partnership for at least the next fifteen years.

Supermarket chains are looking to increase their share of the market by buying out smaller rivals that have fallen on hard times. Experts say that the current financial crisis will weed out weaker grocers.

The Russian stock market has dropped more than 60% since May of this year. In response to this drastic decline, the state-owned Development Bank will pump $6.7 billion into the stock markets.

According to U.S. and European experts, Russia's government needs to beef up its security against money-laundering. More staff must be hired to deter illegal cross-border currency movements.

According to Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, Russia aims to influence global oil prices. The country is the world's second leading oil producer after Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, Russia accounts for over 12% of global oil production.

Russia's 2009 budget will reflect a 68% increase on spending for housing maintenance and a 59% increase on health care. In addition, defense spending will increase to about $50 billion, a 26% increase.

Russia's government will support sagging stock markets, banks, and oil companies with $29 billion. The money will be used on measures to stabilize the country's stock markets in the midst of a global financial crisis.