(Reuters) – The Russian government has added 551.4 billion roubles ($9.5billion) to its emergency fund as part of its new stimulus package. This is in an effort to shield the economy against the effects of Western sanctions.

In a statement, the government stated that “the funds will be used partly to implement measures aimed ensuring stability economic development in conditions of external constraints.”

Russia’s essential oil and gas exports have brought in extra revenues that added to its reserves. This is despite Western sanctions.

Russia has been hit by unprecedented sanctions from the West. This includes freezing half of Russia’s gold reserves and $300 billion of foreign currency reserves. The move came after Moscow deployed thousands of troops to Ukraine in what Moscow calls “special military operations.”

Russia used to direct oil and gas revenues into its $198 million sovereign wealth fund. This fund is intended for a war chest that will finance large investment projects.

The emergency reserve fund, however, is more flexible and allows the government to pay its deficits, provide support for social spending such as recent increases in pensions, or respond to an economic crisis.

The May increase in the fund’s size by 791.6 trillion roubles (13.56 Billion) was a result of government action.

Russia is facing its worst recession for more than 20 years as the Institute of International Finance calls it a “full destruction of 30 years of investments” which could result in the loss of 15 years worth of economic benefits.

Already, the Kremlin began to deploy its resources in support of the country’s biggest businesses to address an economic crisis. Inflation has already risen to the highest level in 20 years and household income is expected to plummet in the next few months.

The government has committed $1.75 Billion to state-owned airline Aeroflot and also injected $4B into Russian Railways in May.

($1 = 58.22 roubles)