REUTERS
The dollar exchange rate on Thursday, August 20, surged above 68 rubles for the first time in six months before trade closing time on Moscow Exchange, as Brent crude oil prices are slumping.
The ruble has weakened against the dollar on the Moscow spot exchange market, with the rate standing at 68.01 rubles per dollar just before midnight (local time) on Thursday. The euro settled at 76.49 rubles. Last time the dollar rose above the level of 68 rubles was in early February, when the dollar to ruble exchange rate was 68.42.
Russian currency fall against the dollar occurred amid renewed decline in the oil price, with October Brent crude futures hitting August 20 a January low of $46.32, Russian news agency RBC reported.
Read alsoRussia crisis deepens on low oil prices, sanctions, China's slower growthTrading on Moscow Exchange on August 20 saw the dollar exchange rate surging above 67.2 rubles. By mid-afternoon, the euro exceeded the level of 74 rubles for the first time in six months.