Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service, known as FAS, has launched an antitrust investigation into aluminium giant Rusal, according to Wednesday reporting from Interfax. The case centres on alleged unfair pricing practices for buyers inside Russia, ramping up existing tensions over how Rusal sets domestic metal prices.

FAS had already told Rusal to adjust its aluminium supply agreements for local customers. Even after the firm asked for two separate deadline extensions, Rusal still did not make the required changes, prompting the formal case to open.

The watchdog takes issue with how Rusal calculates prices for Russian purchasers. Its pricing structure adds a regional surcharge linked to European market benchmarks, yet most of Russia’s home‑produced aluminium currently flows to Asian destinations. Regulators argue this setup puts domestic metal processors in a tough spot, since local firms end up paying higher rates than overseas customers.

FAS pointed out that aluminium costs ripple across many sectors. Everything from packaging goods and building materials to power‑industry machinery becomes more expensive when base metal prices are skewed. The agency stressed that balancing the interests of metal producers and end‑users matters greatly for stable technical progress across related industries and the broader national economy.

Should FAS rule that Rusal broke antitrust rules, the company may receive a fine calculated on its market turnover. Penalties can range from one percent up to 15 percent of revenue earned in the affected market.

Analysts at Russian investment firm BCS weighed in on what the financial fallout might look like. They believe the scope of this case will most likely cover only aluminium sales within Russia, which would keep any possible fine under $100 million. While a far harsher reading of the rules could push penalties as high as $500‑600 million, the research team sees this more severe scenario as improbable.