ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia's gold reserves increased to 2,350 tons by the end of 2023, according to figures released by the country's central bank on Monday.

       In December 2023, Russia increased its holdings of gold reserves by 34.6 tons from the previous month to 2,350 tons, and the value of the gold reserves reached a record high of 155.9 billion U.S. dollars, the Bank of Russia said.

       As a result, Russia's gold reserves made up 26 percent of its international reserves, the highest level since March 2000.

       Russia's total international reserves amounted to 598.6 billion dollars last year, the highest amount since March 2022, according to the central bank.