The Russian Premier League is back as Rubin collected a narrow 1-0 win against Terek in Grozny in the first game after the summer break.
The game in the Chechen capital was heading for a scoreless draw when visiting midfielder Alan Kasaev broke the deadlock after firing from close range, following a rebound from an 85th minute freekick.
Rubin, who are preparing for a Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev during the week, grab the necessary 3 points and are now level on points with champions Zenit.
They share second spot with 30 points, 7 points behind leading CSKA Moscow.
One game will be played on Saturday in the Russian Premier League, in which 6th-placed Kuban welcomes Tom in Krasnodar.