MOSCOW (Realist English). On September 15, the Central Bank of Russia published official foreign currency rates set for September 16. The US dollar rate fell by 10.01 kopecks to 84.2362 rubles, while the euro rate dropped by 46.14 kopecks to 97.3012 rubles.
Rate Dynamics Over the Week
The American currency has shown mixed movement during the week. While on September 15 the CBR raised the dollar rate by 7.94 kopecks to 84.3363 rubles, for September 16 the regulator lowered it to 84.2362 rubles. The euro, by contrast, has been steadily depreciating: from 97.7626 rubles on September 15 to 97.3012 rubles on September 16.
| Date | US Dollar | Euro |
|---|---|---|
| 15.09.2026 | 84.3363 | 97.7626 |
| 16.09.2026 | 84.2362 | 97.3012 |
What Supports the Ruble
Maintaining tight monetary policy. At its meeting on September 11, 2026, the Bank of Russia decided to keep the key rate at 14.00% per annum. The high rate supports interest in ruble assets and limits the potential for weakening of the national currency.
Reduced currency purchases under the budget rule. From September 7 to October 6, the Ministry of Finance reduced the daily volume of purchases of foreign currency and gold to 2.5 billion rubles, which is more than 2.5 times less than the previous cycle (6.5 billion rubles).
Taking into account the mirroring of CBR operations, net currency purchases on the domestic market will amount to the equivalent of 1.92 billion rubles per day, versus 5.92 billion a month earlier. Lower demand for currency from the state reduces pressure on the ruble.
Rising oil prices. Brent quotes exceeded $107 per barrel amid escalation in the Middle East — strikes on Saudi Arabia and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. This psychologically supports the ruble, although the actual impact on the currency market appears with a lag.
What Next
Analysts at PSB expect that in the coming weeks the ruble may continue to recover losses, and the Chinese currency will return to the range of 12–12.5 rubles. However, there are no grounds for more substantial strengthening: the dollar, according to estimates, may end the year in the corridor of 85–90 rubles.
