KIEV, Aug. 25 - Ukraine had a preliminary balance of payments deficit of $8.232 billion in January-July 2009 compared to a surplus of $4.882 billion in the same period of 2008, the National Bank of Ukraine said.

The balance of payments deficit increased by $944 million in July.

The balance of payments current accounts deficit totaled $1.218 billion tentatively in the seven months compared to a deficit of $7.258 billion in January-July 2008. This deficit grew by $355 million in July after increasing $78 million in June.