ROME, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Italy's economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the first three months of this year, according to preliminary data released by the country's national statistics institute (ISTAT) on Friday.

       This brings to an end a run of four consecutive quarters of positive growth, although the economy has still grown by 5.8 percent since the same time last year.

       The economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict was felt in Italy in the first quarter of this year, although energy prices were already on the rise previously, ISTAT said. Nevertheless, Russia has traditionally been Italy's largest supplier of natural gas.

       ISTAT will publish finalized its data in May.