* This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine

MOSCOW, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Russian largest gold producer Polyus said on Wednesday its first-half adjusted net profit fell by 25% year-on-year to $792 million due to lower sales.

Reporting its first financial results since Russia sent troops to Ukraine in February in what Moscow calls its special military operation, Polyus said that the gold sales declined by 19% to 1.0 million troy ounces in January-June.

Polyus has not been directly targeted by Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since February. (Reporting by Anastasia Lyrchikova; writing by Polina Devitt; Editing by Louise Heavens)