Russia sold record $11.3bn to support ruble on Monday

MOSCOW: Russia sold a record $11.3 billion in foreign currency to support the ruble on March 3, the so called "Black Monday" when the ruble came under unprecedented pressure due to concerns about conflict in Ukraine, central bank data showed Wednesday.

The Russian central bank sold foreign currency to buy rubles and prevent the Russian currency from falling further, after the market reacted with panic to parliamentary approval for President Vladimir Putin's request to allow military action in Ukraine.