By 1453 GMT, the rouble had gained 3.6% to trade at 77.25 versus the euro, earlier clipping 76.96, its strongest mark since June 2020.
The currency was supported by a record 3 trillion roubles that companies are due to pay in taxes this month, according to analysts surveyed by Reuters.The tax boost may push the rouble higher, said Veles Capital in a note, but an expected rate cut by the central bank on Friday may dampen optimism.Market players are looking ahead to the central bank rate decision, after two emergency rate moves in the last month - a hike to 20% in late February, followed by a cut to 17% on 8 April.
The central bank on Monday said it was shortening the time frame it uses to calculate the official exchange rate by one hour, a move that Sberbank CIB analysts said suggested the regulator was noting an improvement in the liquidity situation on the foreign exchange market.