Yes — a foreign company that is a creditor or claimant in Russian proceedings can participate in tracing bank accounts and financial flows in Russia, principally through court-ordered disclosure mechanisms available under the arbitrazh procedure and general civil procedure rules.
Russian law does not grant foreign creditors a direct right to subpoena banks or demand financial information unilaterally. Disclosure is court-mediated: a foreign creditor who has initiated, or is a party to, proceedings before a Russian arbitrazh court or a court of general jurisdiction may apply for a judicial inquiry directed at credit institutions, the Federal Tax Service, or the Federal Bailiff Service. Those bodies are obliged to respond to the court's inquiry within the established procedural timeframe. The court then furnishes the information to the requesting party. This mechanism extends to tracing bank accounts, identifying account balances, and mapping financial flows between related entities. Foreign claimants are treated on the same procedural footing as Russian creditors for these purposes.
In practice, the scope and speed of disclosure depend on the stage of proceedings. The most effective tracing typically occurs once enforcement proceedings have commenced or during bankruptcy proceedings against the debtor, where the insolvency administrator also holds independent disclosure powers. Creditors who delay initiating proceedings risk the debtor dissipating assets or restructuring financial flows in ways that materially narrow the scope of what can be traced before a court order is issued. Interim measures — including account freezes — may be sought alongside a disclosure application to preserve the position.
For cross-border matters, the firm also coordinates with counsel in other jurisdictions where parallel asset-tracing steps may be available, including disclosure proceedings under English, Dutch, or German procedural law.
For further context on Russian tracing procedure, see our asset tracing and recovery practice page, our analysis of the Russian Supreme Court clarification on tracing, and our practitioner briefing on navigating bank account and financial flow tracing.
If you are a foreign creditor seeking to trace bank accounts or financial flows in Russia — make an enquiry: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp/Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76
— Elizaveta Razina Senior Lawyer, Practice Lead – IP Enforcement, Vetrov & Partners vetrovpartners.com/razina/
Elizaveta Razina leads the firm's intellectual property practice, representing foreign trademark owners in infringement proceedings before Russian state courts and the IP Court. She advises on asset tracing and protection strategy across practice areas.
Vetrov & Partners is a Russian boutique law firm established in 2009, recognised by Pravo-300 for eight consecutive years. The firm's asset tracing and recovery practice advises foreign creditors on court-assisted disclosure, account freezes, and enforcement against Russian-domiciled debtors. Enquiries: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76 | t.me/vitvetcom
This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice under Russian or any other applicable law. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Vetrov & Partners is a Russian-qualified law firm. For matters governed by foreign law or requiring local admission in another jurisdiction, we collaborate with trusted counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@vetrovpartners.com.