UPDATE: Russian ruble hits historical low of 80.1 against US dollar

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MOSCOW, Jan 20 (PRIME) -- The exchange rate of the Russian ruble fell 1.59 rubles against the U.S. dollar to an all-time low of 80.16 at 2:12 p.m., Moscow time on Wednesday, according to data of the Moscow Exchange.

The ruble slid 1.81 rubles against the euro to 87.53.

The January Brent futures fell 2.21% to U.S. $28.12 per barrel.

The central bank said that the ruble lost 10.5% in December to 73.6 rubles.

“The euro grew by almost 3% against the U.S. dollar in December as the softening of ECB’s (European Central Bank) monetary policy was less significant than expected, which is reflected in dynamics of cross-rates of all currencies against the euro and in a wider weakening of the ruble against the euro in comparison with the U.S. dollar,” the regulator said.

The ruble trend in the month were defined by the oil price dynamics, hit by an OPEC decision not to limit its oil production quota, and by negative external background, undermined by the U.S. lifting of its oil export ban and forthcoming entrance of Iran to the oil market.

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