Russian Gold Reserves.

Russian Gold Purchases in June 2015.

Russia added 800,000 ounces (24.9 tons) of gold to its reserves in June.

Russia’s Gold reserves since 2009 increase more than China’s

Russia Boosts Gold Reserves, Reduces U.S. Treasury Holdings

Russian Gold Reserves In Tons

Since 2009 Russian gold reserves have increased by 668 tons which is more than China added (604 tons) during the same time period.

Russia added 24.9 tons of gold to its reserves in June. YTD Russia has added 68 tons in 2015.

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation published its official June 2015 reserve assets and other foreign currency assets report today indicating that its gold reserves had increased 800,000 ounces from its May 2015 report to 41 million ounces.

The Russian Central Bank recently announced that they would be boosting their foreign reserves by about 40% from $356 billion to about $500 billion.

“Recent experiences forced us to reconsider some of our ideas about sufficient and comfortable levels of gold reserves,” said Elvira Nabiullina, Chairwoman Russian Central Bank.

Russia has been rebalancing its foreign reserves to favor gold vs. U.S. Treasury Bonds. Russia’s gold buying binge has coincided with a steady sell off of her U.S. Treasuries. It might be expected that as Russia increases its foreign reserves it would do so at least in proportion with that of its current gold reserves.

In a recent CNBC interview Ms. Nabiullina remarked on Russia’s increasing gold reserves “…we base ourselves upon the principles of diversification of our international reserves and we bought gold not only last year but during the previous years. Our gold mining industry is very well developed and it is ready to supply gold. That is why our attitude towards here is based upon diversification of our reserves.”

Ms. Nabiullina also dispelled the notion that the objective to increase Russia’s gold reserves was a function of buying up domestic gold supply that could not be sold abroad: “…we don’t run the objective to support any specific industry. In terms of the share of gold, actually we are not holding the records because there are countries that have a bigger share of gold in their reserves.”

In June Russia added 800,000 ounces of gold to its reserves and added $4.1 billion of U.S. Treasuries to its reserves in May, reflecting a stronger financial position than last winter when the rouble was under attack causing Russia to temporarily suspend gold purchases.

Russia’s U.S. Treasury Bond Holdings January 2014-May 2015

Russia added $4.1 billion in U.S. Treasuries to its reserves in May, reversing a long trend of reducing its holdings. Russia’s Treasury holdings have been cut nearly in half since January 2014

Russian U.S. Treasury and Gold Reserves November 2013

Russian U.S. Treasury and Gold Reserves April May 2015

Russian Gold Reserves June 2015