Russia added around 208 mt to its official gold reserves in 2015, data released by the country's central bank implied Thursday, following additions of 21.6 mt in December.
The total is 21% higher than the 186.6 mt reported in 2014, in line with the country's growing attempts to increase and diversify its reserve assets in the last few years, as the world's largest central bank purchaser of gold.
The 21.6 mt of additions in December is just below the 22.3 mt reported in November.
Russia's central bank reports gold reserves initially in monetary value, before releasing the volume on the IMF website at a later date. Using the month-end London Bullion Market Association gold price, additions can be calculated.
China recently reported purchases of 197.1 mt for 2015, having only started reporting additions in June.
The two countries accounted for over 90% of total central bank purchases last year.
Russia is the world's seventh largest holder of gold reserves, according to the International Monetary Fund, behind the US, Germany, the IMF itself, Italy, France and China.
Most analysts expect Russia and China to continue its purchases in 2016, with only 15% of Russia's official reserves currently in gold, according to IMF data, far below the 73% reported by the US and the 55% average for Europe.
China holds less than 2% in gold.
The London Bullion Market Association Gold Price settled at $1,096.80/oz Thursday morning, down $4.95/oz on the previous session.
