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[BUSINESS] · Russia, China, Poland, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan · 3 sources

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Part of situation: Russian gold reserve depletion (3 clusters)

Russia sells record gold reserves to cover budget deficit

Russia Central Bank gold reserves budget deficit World Gold Council People's Bank of China

The Central Bank of Russia sold 18.66 metric tons of gold during the third quarter of 2026, marking the largest reduction among global central banks for that period. This sale is part of a ten-month trend of gold liquidations driven by the Russian Ministry of Finance to cover a growing budget deficit.

According to data from the World Gold Council, Russia's gold reserves decreased by approximately 62 tons between December 2025 and September 2026. This level of selling is the most significant since the 1998 Russian financial crisis. The budget deficit is projected to reach at least 3.2% of GDP in 2026, exceeding 7 trillion rubles, as the country continues to fund the war in Ukraine.

In contrast to Russia, global central banks were net buyers during the same period, purchasing 321.2 tons of gold, a 42% increase compared to the previous year. The People's Bank of China was the largest buyer, adding 63.14 tons to its reserves. Other significant purchasers included the central banks of Poland, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Entities

Central Bank of Russia · China · People's Bank of China · Russia · Russian Ministry of Finance · World Gold Council

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Няма пари, има пари: Русия продава десетки тонове злато, Китай купува в пъти повече [www.actualno.com]
Aurul din rezervele Rusiei dispare într-un ritm fără precedent din 1998, când Moscova a intrat în incapacitate de plată - Știrile ProTV [stirileprotv.ro]
Централна банка Русије продала је више злата него било која друга централна банка у свету [www.politika.rs]