PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Feb 27

MOSCOW, Feb 27 (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.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

- Power to allow foreign investors to buy Russian companies will no longer belong to the Federal Security Service but be transfered to the Prime Minister in the nearest future. The amendment is to be approved by President Vladimir Putin, writes the paper.

KOMMERSANT

www.kommersant.ru

- Russia's natural gas monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM) will reduce shipments of gas to Ukraine next week unless Kiev signs documents on paying its debt and authorizing gas delivery.

- French carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) will sign an agreement to buy 25 percent of Russia's biggest automaker AvtoVAZ (AVAZ.MM).

IZVESTIA

www.izvestia.ru

- The Federal Antimonopoly Service is due to abandon its requirement that loan applicants purchase life insurance when taking out bank loans, the paper says.

ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA