Kommersant
Russian, Kremlin-aligned business daily (privately owned)
Background
Kommersant was founded in 1989 by Vladimir Yakovlev as one of Russia's first independent business publications after the Soviet era. In 1999 Boris Berezovsky bought it, and under his ownership it was seen as serving his political interests. Usmanov bought it in 2006. Commentators have said that after the sale the newspaper's editorial freedom narrowed and its stance became more pro-Kremlin. The paper has long been valued for detailed economic reporting and sourced political scoops, and it kept a reputation for professionalism even as political pressure grew. Several high-profile editorial shake-ups followed the sale, including dismissals tied to coverage that displeased the owner or authorities. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian media have operated under wartime censorship laws, which limit what Kommersant can say about the war. Usmanov was sanctioned by the EU, U.S. and UK after 2022. In September 2026 the EU reportedly removed him from its list, while U.S. and UK sanctions remain. Its perspective is best described as establishment-oriented: it is more open than state television on business and economic matters, but it stays within limits set by the Russian state. My searches did not turn up recent analysis of its Trump-era coverage, so the administration-stance label is a cautious judgment.
Sources
- Kommersant - Wikipedia
- Alisher Usmanov - Wikipedia
- Kommersant - Media Bias/Fact Check
- Kommersant - Eurotopics
- EU Removes Billionaires Usmanov and Fridman From Sanctions List - The Moscow Times
Profile compiled 2026-10-27; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.