1.   Altogether, analysts said Thursday, U.S. and European institutions have lost billions of dollars as they have had to write off their holdings of Russian debt.

2.   Attracting foreign investors to Russian debt has been a mixed experience.

3.   A final accord to reschedule Russian commercial debt is expected, clearing the way for coupon payments, the Ministry of Finance said.

4.   A judge had ruled that the jet constituted collateral for defaulted Russian debt held by a Swiss financial company.

5.   A number of analysts recommend Russian debt for next year.

6.   A number of analysts recommend Russian debt securities, however, deeming them still cheap compared to the bonds of other emerging markets.

7.   A rating could also let mutual funds barred from buying unrated securities invest in Russian debt.

8.   Buying Russian debt requires a hearty appetite for risk, but it has become increasingly tempting to some investors.

9.   By contrast, investment in short-term Russian debt, such as GKOs or ruble denominated Treasury bills, has soared.

10.   By all rights, the Russian debt default should have been a minor event.