MOSCOW: The Russian rouble opened stronger on Monday, buoyed by higher oil prices and a perception that the risk of Britain leaving the European Union was receding.
At 0705 GMT, the rouble was 0.7 percent stronger against the dollar at 64.41 and had gained 0.2 percent to 73 versus the euro.
Three opinion polls ahead of Thursday's vote in Britain showed the 'Remain' camp recovering some momentum, though the overall picture remained one of an evenly split electorate.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 70 cents at $49.87 a barrel by 0705 GMT, after adding $1.98, or 4.2 percent, to reach $49.17 on Friday.
Russian share indexes were also up on Monday, tracking Asian markets higher, also thanks to easing market worries over Brexit.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 2.1 percent to 929 points, while the rouble-based MICEX was 1.1 percent higher at 1,898 points.
"We believe that during the week (the) RTS index will be on the upward trend, while today the market will increase by up to 1 percent," Alexei Antonov, an analyst at Alor Broker, said in a note.
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