The real GDP of Russia in 2022 decreased by 2.1%, the first data for the past year was published by Rosstat on the evening of February 20, two days before the message of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly.
Putin himself made more pessimistic forecasts in January and stated that by the end of 2022, a decline in GDP by 2.5% is expected. During the pandemic in 2020, the economy lost more – 2.7%. The recession of the economy, according to Rosstat, also turned out to be lower than the Central Bank predicted (2.5%). The International Monetary Fund reported that Russia's GDP fell by 2.2% over the year. The Ministry of Economic Development assumed a 2.9% reduction in the economy.
On February 21 and 22, it will be a year since Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of “the independence of the LPR and the DPR”, and the State Duma and the Federation Council supported his decision. Two days later, Russia invaded Ukraine. As RBC reported , this year, on February 22, a rally-concert was planned in the Kremlin with the participation of Putin, after his message from the President to the Federal Assembly.
Russia entered the new year 2023 with the most fabulous budget in 20 years. The Kremlin does not spare money for the war, spending on the security forces will grow by as much as 50%, but on healthcare and housing and communal services they will decrease. The Insider published the opinions of experts: they believe that the authorities will have to raise taxes again, and the ruble will continue to decline, in the long run this will lead to higher prices.