TODAY: New figures show economy contracted the most in six years in 2015; oil prices were driving factor; industrial output, real wages also decline; Putin unexpectedly lambastes Lenin; Defense Ministry denies plan for new Syria air base; Moscow looking to develop Kuril islands, risking Japan’s ire; Lukoil recommences work in Iran; company believes Russia needs to work with OPEC; U.S. asserts it identifies Vladimir Putin as corrupt.