By 0609 GMT, the rouble was down 1.1 percent at 30.28 versus the dollar on the MICEX exchange and was almost unchanged at 41.05 against the euro.

Versus the euro-dollar baskets, the rouble eased 0.55 percent to 35.13, closing in on the range of above 35.15 where the central bank is expected to start selling few hundred million dollars a day to limit downside pressure on the rouble.