In the only match in the Russian Premier League, where action resumed on Monday after the mid-season break, holders Rubin beat lowly Khimki on the road.
Reigning champions, who were sitting second going into the match, traveled to Moscow Region to face bottom of the table Khimki in a match postponed from week 11 of the championships.
It ended 3-2 for the favorites, with Aleksandr Bukharov claiming a hat-trick for Rubin.
The Kazan side go to the top of the Premier League standings with this win, while Khimki are beyond recovery with just four points after 12 games and seven points behind the saving 14th place.
A full-scale action in the league will kick off on Friday with the clash between outsider Khimki and Saturn. Saturday will see CSKA travel to Grozny, Amkar take on Dynamo Moscow, Rubin playing Krylya Sovetov in Samara and Spartak Moscow examining Rostov on the road. On Sunday, Zenit will challenge former league leaders FC Moscow, while Lokomotiv and Kuban receive Tom and Spartak Nalchik, respectfully.