Amkar Perm and Tosno were excluded from Premier League due to financial problems, but were also refused a license for the 2018–19 Russian Professional Football League, being subsequently dissolved.
Kuban Krasnodar was excluded from championship due to financial problems, then being dissolved.
Ararat Moscow was promoted from 2017–18 PFL, but were refused a license for the 2018–19 Russian National Football League, the club being subsequently dissolved.
Zenit-2 Saint Petersburg, Rotor Volgograd, Luch Vladivostok, Tyumen and Fakel Voronezh were spared from relegation due to lack of teams enrolled for the 2018–19 season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules.