According to official statements, Russia's economy expanded 4% in both 2023 and 2024. However, the reliability of these figures warrants scrutiny—particularly regarding inflation data accuracy. When adjusted for actual inflation rates, the numbers tell a different story. Analysis suggests the real economy likely contracted during this same period rather than growing. This discrepancy between reported and actual economic performance highlights broader questions about data transparency and the true state of economic conditions beneath surface-level statistics.