Russia's economic stats are 'pure invention from Putin's imagination,' and its economy is actually imploding, Yale researchers say

• Russia's economy is in tatters, despite what its central bank says, according to Yale researchers.
• In a recent op-ed, two academics called Russia's growth forecasts a figment of Putin's imagination. 
• Stats outside of what is stated by Russia suggest its economy has been hit hard by sanctions. 

Russia's economy is in tatters, and economic stats touted by the country's central bank are "pure invention" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to two Yale researchers.