Wikipedia - FNL Cup

National Football League Cup is a Russian football competition, held among the best teams of Russian Football National League in the winter break.

History

The first cup was held in 2012. On 1 December 2011, it was reported that the cup rules were approved. According to those rules, the teams are divided into two groups. In 2015 FNL Cup the clubs was divided into four groups.[]

It is not mandatory for FNL clubs to participate, and in cases when some do refuse to, Russian Professional Football League or Russian Premier League teams are invited to fill the spots. In the 2016 edition, FC Volgar Astrakhan fielded two squads.[]