"If compared to the first quarter of last year, our overall results are not worse [this year]," Ruslan Davydov said.

Since the start of the year, 517,100 metric tons of vegetables and other crops have been grown in protected ground.

According to Rosstat, the average wage in the Russian Federation in February 2023 is 65,904 rubles.

Measures "targeting vessels that switch off navigation systems" are also being considered.

An index level greater than 50 points implies a rise in business activity, while a value less than 50 points suggests a slowdown.

The publication of information is suspended, starting with data for March and the first quarter of 2023.

In the first quarter of this year Russian banks already earned a total of 881 bln rubles ($10.7 bln) worth of net profit.

TASS learned from diplomatic sources in the South African capital that negotiations about the possible expansion of BRICS are to take place in the coming months.

"Even those leaving are nevertheless negotiating possible conditions for the return under the table and do not burn bridges," Dmitry Peskov noted.

"In 2023-2024, the Russian government will allocate up to eight billion rubles to regions for these goals," Dmitry Chernyshenko said.