PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Aug 12

MOSCOW Aug 12 (Reuters) - The following are some of the leading stories in Russia's newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

KOMMERSANT

www.kommersant

- Russia's transport ministry has proposed a new stimulus plan for the country's struggling car industry. Owners would receive a 50,000 rouble ($1,580) discount off a new Russian car if they trade in a car older than 10 years, the daily reports.

- Moscow's arbitration court has ordered billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to pay almost $31 million to his former business partner Vladimir Potanin for breaking a deal to buy a mansion in the centre of the Russian capital.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

- Russia's state-controlled VTB bank (VTBR.MM) has agreed to restructure 3.2 billion roubles ($101.1 million) of debt owed by Glavstroi, a building company owned by indebted metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska, the daily reports.

- Russia's government may allow regions to borrow abroad and to buy back their bonds from the market early, the daily reports.

ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA

www.rg.ru

- A new department has been set up within the general staff of Russia's armed forces to coordinate the activity of the army, air force and navy during special military operations abroad.

IZVESTIA

www.izvestia.ru

- By the end of the year Russia plans to launch test flights of its fifth generation fighter, a competitor for the U.S. F-22 Raptor, air force commander Alexander Zelin said.

VREMYA NOVOSTEI

www.vremya.ru

- Ukraine's state gas company Naftagas is planning to cut gas imports from Russia next year to 33-35 billion cubic meters, the daily says quoting its sources. The company signed a contract in January to take 52 billion cubic meters in 2010, the paper said.

NEZAVISISMAYA GAZETA

www.ng.ru

- Russia's military has launched exercises in Eastern Siberia to rehearse efforts to ensure safety of oil and gas shipments.