Central bank makes surprise cut to interest rates as inflation soars under pressure from war sanctions
Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates
Russia is heading for its deepest recession since the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the UK government predicted on Friday, as Moscow’s central bank unexpectedly cut its key interest rate to support its shrinking economy.
The Foreign Office said Russia’s GDP is expected to contract by between 8.5% and 15% this year, as the series of sanctions imposed following the war in Ukraine hit activity.