IST Group, owned by businessman Alexander Nesis, sold 19 million shares in Polymetal, it added.

It is the fifth ABB by Polymetal shareholders this year, analysts at Sova Capital said in a note. Despite selling 4%, IST will remain as Polymetal's largest shareholder with a 24% stake.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt and Anastasia Lyrchikova; Editing by David Goodman)