The Russian ruble strengthened to levels not seen since March 2018 against the dollar on Tuesday, boosted by export-focused companies selling foreign currency to pay taxes and shrugging off a slight easing of capital controls.
The ruble has firmed about 30 percent against the dollar this year despite a full-scale economic crisis in Russia.
The rouble is steered by capital controls imposed in late February to shield Russia’s financial sector after Moscow’s decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine prompted unprecedented Western sanctions.
At 1110 GMT, the ruble was 2.5 percent stronger against the dollar at 56.36, hovering around this level for the first time in more than four years….