Vladimir Putin found himself facing unexpected challenges at his annual end-of-year press conference, as questions about the perceived "reality" of Russia were prominently displayed on screens throughout the venue. -snip- Among the displayed messages challenging the official narrative, one boldly questioned Putin's version of "reality" compared to the daily experiences of ordinary citizens: "Why is your 'reality' at odds with our lived reality?" Another message highlighted the escalating grocery prices in Russia, saying: "Cucumbers cost 900 roubles per kilo, tomatoes 950 roubles. It costs me 1,500 roubles to make a salad. I won't even mention fruit. Make the prices normal!"...