Russian Budget Gets Unexpected $3.7 Billion From Mid-Summer Energy SalesRussia's federal budget recorded its highest monthly oil and gas revenue of the year in July, with proceeds reaching 934 billion rubles (approximately $11.9 billion), the Finance Ministry reported. The figure exceeded the ministry's own forecast by 291.9 billion rubles (approximately $3.7 billion) and marks a 36.6% increase from June and an 18.6% rise compared with July 2023. The mineral extraction tax (NDPI) remains the backbone of energy revenues, contributing 692.2 billion rubles (approximately $8.8 billion) in July. While that amount is down 28.5% from June, it is higher than the 634.1 billion rubles (approximately $8.1 billion) collected in July 2023. NDD receipts totaled 396 billion rubles (approximately $5.0 billion), up 94 billion rubles (approximately $1.2 billion)from the same month a year earlier, a change the ministry and analysts attribute to improved margins at producing companies despite sanctions pressure.