MOSCOW, June 5 (Reuters) - Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 4.4% year-on-year in April, compared with a 4.2% annual rise recorded in the previous month, the economy ministry said on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly played down the hit from Western sanctions and highlighted the fact that Russia's economy expanded faster last year, with GDP growth of 3.6%, than any of the Group of Seven nations largely responsible for the sanctions.
The central bank has warned that the economy is overheating, as Moscow ploughs resources into the defence and security sectors, with interest rates at 16% and a tight labour market.
Russia's unemployment rate dropped to a record low 2.6% in April and real wages soared in March, data published by the federal statistics service showed on Wednesday, highlighting the extent of Russia's tight labour market. (Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
