MOSCOW, August 22. /TASS/. Russia’s international reserves of as of August 16, 2024, amounted to $609.9 bln, having increased by $5.9 bln over the week, according to the Bank of Russia.

"International reserves as of the end of the day on August 16, 2024 amounted to $609.9 billion, having increased over the week by $5.9 billion, or 1.0%, due to negative revaluation, as well as transactions with the National Wealth Fund," the regulator said.

As of August 9, the volume of reserves amounted to $604 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.