MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. As of October 14, 2022, Russia’s international reserves decreased by 0.8% or $4.3 bln over the week and amounted to $544.4 bln, the Bank of Russia said on Thursday.

"The volume of international reserves as of October 14 amounted to $544.4 bln, having decreased over the week by $4.3 bln, or 0.8%, under the influence of a positive revaluation," the statement said.

As of October 7, 2022, international reserves stood at $548.7 bln.

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian Government. They comprise foreign currency, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a reserve position in the International Monetary Fund and monetary gold. The target level for international reserves set by the Bank of Russia is $500 bln.

Earlier, head of the Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, said that as a result of Western sanctions, about $ 300 billion of Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves were frozen. After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine Western countries imposed sanctions against the Bank of Russia. In addition to freezing the gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Russian Federation, all transactions related to the management of reserves and assets of the Bank of Russia, as well as transactions with any legal entity, organization or body acting on behalf of or on behalf of the Bank of Russia were banned.