Purpose: to identify promising directions for studying entrepreneurial activity in Russia using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and the Entrepreneurs of Russia: Research Monitoring (PRIM) projects, taking into account global research trends reflected in scientific publications from 2016–2024 based on GEM data. Methodology: the methodological framework of the study is based on a systematic literature review and descriptive analysis of GEM and PRIM data to characterize the state of entrepreneurial activity in Russia over the period 2016–2024. The primary data sources for the systematic literature review are the Scopus database and the eLibrary.Ru information portal. To describe entrepreneurial activity in Russia, data from adult population surveys conducted within the GEM and PRIM projects in 2016–2024 were used. Findings: the systematization of publications over the period under review allowed to identify four key thematic clusters of research utilizing GEM project data. A subsequent comparative analysis of the GEM and PRIM datasets available for Russia revealed both opportunities and limitations for studying the identified thematic clusters. This analysis not only helped structure current research directions in entrepreneurship but also identified significant gaps in Russian data concerning topics explored in international scientific literature. Originality and contribution: the value of the research findings lies in the identification of both new relevant directions for studying Russian entrepreneurship and existing gaps in the GEM and PRIM project data that currently hinder their full implementation.