DHAKA: The Russian government has warned the economy will fall into recession next year as Western sanctions, in response to its role in eastern Ukraine, and falling oil prices begin to bite.

Russia’s economic development ministry estimates the economy will contract by 0.8% next year.

It had previously estimated the economy would grow by 1.2% in 2015, reports the BBC.

Russia’s reliance on tax revenues from the oil industry makes it particularly sensitive to price movements.

Household disposable incomes are also forecast to decline by as much as 2.8%, compared with a previous estimate that they would grow by 0.4%.

The sharp revision in Russia's economic forecast is the first admission from the government that the economy will contract.

‘The current prognosis is based on a drop in GDP by 0.8% in 2015, against the previous prognosis of growth by 1.2%,’ deputy prime minister Alexi Vedev said.

On Monday, the rouble suffered its biggest one-day fall since 1998.

The currency slid almost 9% against the dollar before rallying after suspected central bank intervention. The currency has already lost 40% in value this year.

BDST: 1933 HRS, DEC 02, 2014