WesWorld

As Russian heavy bombers ANT-35 and ANT-35B have entered service, they have replaced older models ANT-31 and ANT-31B, and these have gone into long-term storage. Present Russian long-range transport aircraft are modified ANT-28 bombers nearing the end of their service lives, as indicated by their growing accident rate and maintenance cost. To replace them, the VVS will start a program to refurbish the ANT-31B, which entered service in 1936. These airframes still have quite a lot of service life left in the less demanding transport role.

Bomber conversions are one approach to cargo and passenger transport aircraft, but have limitations. In the event that the RF authorities might wish to consider other options, the German Air Attache provides copies of the latest specificiations of German civil airliners (Ju390, Ju252, Bv144 etc) and military transport aircraft (Bv146, Ar232) for information.

I'm assuming though the ANT-28 is being used for VVS transport rather than civil transport. At least no commerical operator is mentioned in the news item.

Though Russian civilian airliners tend to be civilian-built versions of the ANT-28, ANT-31, ANT-32, and ANT-35, and ANT-38 bombers.