MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. Russia’s international reserves amounted to $589.3 bln as of May 19, 2023, having decreased by $10.2 bln over the week, according to the materials of the Bank of Russia.

As of May 12, Russia’s reserves reached $599.5 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.

Following the onset of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine Western countries slapped sanctions against the Bank of Russia. Apart from freezing Russia’s gold and foreign currency reserves, all transactions related to management of the regulator’s reserves and assets, as well as transactions with any legal entity, organization or body acting on behalf or at the direction of the Central Bank, were prohibited.