Russia's economic expansion has decelerated significantly in the first half of 2026, with gross domestic product growing just 0.2% year-on-year from January to May, according to President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader disclosed the figures during a meeting on economic issues, noting that May alone saw growth of 0.3%.
Putin identified domestic demand as one of the primary engines sustaining the economy, despite the broader slowdown in output.
The preliminary estimates, attributed to the Ministry of Economic Development, suggest a continued moderation in Russia's economic momentum.
The data points to a challenging environment for the world's largest natural gas exporter, as it navigates the ongoing impacts of sanctions and structural shifts in trade patterns.
Official, detailed statistics from Rosstat, Russia's federal state statistics service, are typically released later in the month.