Russia's international reserves amounted to $393.6 bln as of February 10. The Bank of Russia released relevant data on the website.
"The reserves declined by $500 mln, or by 0.1%, due to negative revaluation and this drop was partly offset by foreign currencies that lending institutions repaid to the Bank of Russia and gold monetization," the regulator specified.
International (gold) reserves include high-liquidity foreign assets that are held by the Bank of Russia and the Russian government. They comprise foreign currencies, Special Drawing Rights (SDR, the International Monetary Fund's 'currency'), the reserve position in the IMF and monetary gold.
The Bank of Russia said in early summer 2015 that $500 bln is a comfortable amount of international reserves for Russia, and there is a plan to increase the reserves to this level within five to seven years. From May 13 through July 28, 2015 the Bank of Russia purchased $100-200 mln of foreign currencies on a daily basis in the domestic market. Currency purchases were suspended due to rising volatility in the currency market.
In March 2016, CBR chairwoman Elvira Nabiullina said that "the regulator is not in any hurry to replenish international reserves, they are sufficient". She made it clear that the regulator may resume currency purchases regardless of exchange rates, but will take into account volatility of exchange rates.
