Abstract. In 2000, Russia took the 27th place in the world ranking in terms of annual volume of outgoing FDI. In 2008, Russia joined the top 10. However, due to the ongoing structural adjustment of the world economy in the near future the Russian exporters of raw materials and semi-processed goods should not expect an equally favorable market situation that had provided the financial base for large-scale investment abroad. There is a global FDI trend towards a gradual shift in favor of the sectors of high-tech industries and dynamically progressing services’ sphere. At the same time, the leading TNCs continue to determine the competitiveness of national economies and to exert a significant impact on the current configuration of the international division of labor, transforming the global value chains. In this regard, it is important that external investment of the Russian corporations contribute to modernization of the domestic economy and do not constitute just a form of capital flight from the country. The article identifies reasons why some industries of the Russian economy have deployed a massive overseas expansion while others have failed to realize the potential of FDI.