(ANSA) - SARAJEVO - The managers of Russia's Gazprom and the president and the prime minister of Republika Srpska (RS, the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia), Milorad Dodik and Zaljka Cvijanovic - according to local media - have signed in Moscow a contract for direct gas supply to the Rs, at a reduced price, bypassing 'Bh gas', company based in Sarajevo which has so far played an intermediary role in the purchase of Russian gas. In order to come into force, however, the new contract needs to be approved by the Bosnian parliament, and this looks unlikely, given that the leadership of the other Bosnian entity, the Federation of BH (Croat Muslim majority), has long since opposed Bosnia's dependency on Russian gas. With Zarubeznjeft, however, Dodik and Cvijanovic have agreed on the continuation of Russian investments in the RS, including the modernization of the oil refinery in Bosanski Brod. Moreover, Dodik said that the construction of a section of the South Stream gas pipeline through the RS was announced. At Moscow authorities' request, Russia's VTB Bank has granted a 76 million euro loan, intended to fill the empty coffers of the Bosnian Serb entity. Russia's financial and political support is being particularly emphasized by the Bosnian Serb government in the ongoing campaign ahead of general election which will be held on October 12. (ANSA).