The Accounts Chamber reported on the growth of public debt and the budget deficit of the Russian Federation

At the end of the first half of the year, Russia's national debt increased by 6.8 percent or 2.4 trillion rubles, to 37.5 trillion, and the cost of servicing it amounted to 1.8 trillion rubles. The Accounts Chamber provides such figures in its operational report on the progress of execution of the federal budget.

Against this background, the size of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) in ruble equivalent over the specified period decreased by 311 billion rubles, and separately the volume of liquid assets, that is, available for spending, by 473.3 billion rubles, to 3.6 trillion rubles.

The department estimated the budget deficit as of June 30 at 5.8 trillion rubles, which is one and a half times higher than the figure planned for the whole year.

Budget expenditures for the first half of the year amounted to 54.1 percent of the annual plan, revenues - 45.9 percent. The Accounts Chamber noted a low level of revenue from recycling collection, income from managing funds of the National Welfare Fund and dividends, but a high level from customs, environmental and enforcement fees.