The ruble and the Russian stock market began to fall on the afternoon of February 17 due to the aggravated situation against the backdrop of hostilities in the territory of Donbass. This is reported by Vedomosti with reference to the trading data of the Moscow Exchange.
According to information at 12.12 Moscow time, the Moscow Exchange index decreased by 2.5% to 3555.26 points. At the same time, the RTS dollar index fell by 3.89% to 1465 points.
The ruble depreciated against the dollar by almost a ruble
At 11.59 am, the exchange rate of the American currency was 76.23 rubles. In turn, the euro rose in price against the ruble by almost 90 kopecks (86.63 rubles).
The reason for the fall of the Russian currency, according to the publication, was the aggravation of the military conflict in eastern Ukraine. On February 17, the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) reported shelling by the Ukrainian military.
Earlier, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko pointed out that Russia would not abandon its citizens to the DPR and LPR in the event of an invasion of the Ukrainian army into the territory of Donbass.
bbabo.Net