In January, Ukraine's direct external debt decreased by 0.97%, or by 85.4 million dollars, amounting to 8,722.4 million dollars as of January 31. This was reported to "proUA" by the Ministry of Finance. \n \nAccording to the ministry, Ukraine's direct domestic debt increased by 4.5% in January, or by 934.67 million hryvnias, to 21,887.97 million hryvnias. \n \nThe Ministry of Finance notes that the reduction in external debt in January was due to payments for debt repayment exceeding the amount of borrowings and a decline in the euro exchange rate against the hryvnia. The increase in domestic debt is related to an increase in the volume of issuance of domestic state loan bonds. In January 2005, the Ministry of Finance sold OVDP worth 1,044.5 million hryvnias. \n \nThe total amount of state debt in January increased by 0.7%, or by 468.5 million hryvnias, to 68,150.8 million hryvnias.