'Kommersant' Editor Stepping Down

The editor in chief of prominent Russian daily "Kommersant" is stepping down after four years in the post.

Mikhail Mikhailin, a veteran journalist and editor who has worked for a number of "Kommersant" publications since 1992, said he was leaving the post to pursue a "creative break."

Pavel Filenkov, the general director of the "Kommersant" publishing house, said Mikhailin's departure was the result of a "joint decision."

It is expected he will be replaced by Sergei Yakovlev, the head of the "Kommersant-Money" weekly.

Mikhailin's exit comes after state energy giant Rosneft threatened to sue "Kommersant" for a report alleging the company had urged the Kremlin to impose countersanctions against the West.

Rosneft has seen its profits crash after being targeted by Western sanctions imposed over Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Based on reporting by vedomosti.ru and tvrain.ru