Between February 3 and February 10, Russia’s international foreign exchange reserves showed a notable movement. The total dipped by 12 billion dollars, landing at 589 billion dollars, after starting the period around 601 billion dollars. This shift is documented in statistics released by the Central Bank and reported by the press agency TASS, underscoring how reserve levels can swing week to week under pressure from market activity and official policy actions.
The week’s net change represents a 2 percent decrease in the international reserve pool. Analysts attribute this decline to a combination of financial operations conducted under the budget rule and the effects of negative revaluation on held assets. In practical terms, the authorities engaged in transactions aimed at maintaining liquidity and adhering to fiscal rules, while market movements and asset revaluations adjusted the overall valuation of the reserve assets. The result is a reserve position that reflects both deliberate policy management and ongoing external financial dynamics.
In an official note from the Central Bank, the reserve drawdown was framed as a 12 billion dollar reduction, equivalent to a 2 percent drop, with the explanation that negative revaluation and budget-rule operations were the primary drivers. This framing highlights how centralized financial management tools interact with current market valuations to shape the official stockpile of foreign exchange assets.
Earlier in the month, on the 9th, the Central Bank reported a contrasting movement: Russia’s international foreign exchange reserves rose by approximately 0.6 percent, or 3.3 billion dollars, bringing the level to about 601 billion dollars at the early point of the month. This uptick illustrates the volatility inherent in reserve portfolios, where small percentage changes can translate into substantial dollar amounts, depending on currency movements, asset composition, and policy actions. These fluctuations are watched closely by policymakers and market participants alike, since reserve levels influence borrowing capacity, currency stability, and the perceived credibility of monetary supervision. [attribution: Central Bank statements and press reporting]