OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2008. The Bank of Russia used dollar weakening vs. other international currencies and again “dropped” the ruble, allaying panic among the population for which the dollar/ruble exchange rate remains unchanged. On Wednesday, the Russian currency lost RUB 0.43 vs. the bi-currency basket, or 1.3%. This is the first time that CBR opted for such steep ruble devaluation. In November-December, the Bank of Russia gradually expanded the range of the bi-currency basket and raised the support level by about RUB 0.30 (some 1%). The last time the regulator took such a measure was on Monday, December 15. CBR decided to be generous for the seventh time.