Ukraine's international reserves 5.9% down in July, says NBU

Ukraine's international reserves decreased by 5.9% or $1.013 billion in July, to $16.07 billion, the National Bank of Ukraine has reported on its Web site.

"The paying and servicing of state guaranteed debt in foreign currency ($1.176 billion), including to the International Monetary Fund ($648 million) influenced the pace of international reserves in July," the central bank said.

The NBU said that this was partially compensated by the sale of government domestic loan bonds pegged to foreign currency worth $200 million and the purchase of $80 million by the NBU on the interbank market with the purpose of increasing the country's forex reserves.

In general, since early 2014, the country's international reserves fell by 21.3%, or $4.35 billion.