KIEV, June 18 – Ukraine's gross foreign debt as of early April 2010 came to $102.8 billion, falling by $500 million or by 0.5%, according to a report by the National Bank of Ukraine.

"The debt grew by $900 million due to transactions; the exchange rate difference led to a cut in the debt by $1 billion [thanks to the U.S. dollar strengthening to other currencies in which the debt is denominated]; other changes [reassessment, debt writing off] caused the debt to fall by $400 million," reads the report.

The central bank said that the U.S. dollar remained the key currency of Ukraine's foreign loans as of April 1, 2010: its share was 71.4%.