Economy·4/24/2026AI summary Russia's Central Bank Sells 22 Tonnes of Gold in 2026 to Fund Widening Budget Deficit
Russia's central bank has sold 21.8 tonnes of gold in 2026 to fund its widening budget deficit, which reached $61.2 billion by end-March. Gold reserves stand at 2,304.76 tonnes as of April 1, down 6.22 tonnes in March alone. Domestic gold trading volumes surged 350% year-on-year to 42.6 tonnes in March, with the value rising 500% to $7.1 billion as consumers turned to precious metals to protect savings amid economic strain in the fifth year of the Ukraine war.