The Russian Ruble (Russian: рубль rublʹ; symbol: ₽, руб; code: RUB) serves as the official national currency of the Russian Federation. As the cornerstone of Russia's economic system, the Ruble is crucial for all financial transactions within the country, ranging from daily consumer purchases to large-scale international trade agreements. It plays a vital role in maintaining economic stability and reflecting national sovereignty.

The Ruble is systematically subdivided into 100 kopeks (Russian: копе́йка kopeyka, plural: копе́йки kopeyki). Kopeks represent the fractional units of the currency, similar to cents in many other monetary systems, and are primarily used for small value transactions or as change.

Historical Evolution of the Russian Ruble

The name "ruble" boasts a profound historical lineage, having been the currency unit of the Russian Empire and subsequently of the Soviet Union, known then as the Soviet Ruble. Its evolution reflects significant periods of political and economic transformation:

• Post-Soviet Transition (1993): Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the first post-Soviet Russian Ruble (code: RUR) was introduced in September 1993. This initial version directly replaced the Soviet Ruble (code: SUR) at a simple parity rate of 1 SUR = 1 RUR. This transition marked a critical step in establishing an independent national currency amidst the turbulent economic conditions of the early 1990s.
• 1998 Redenomination: A pivotal moment in the Ruble's history occurred in 1998, preceding the devastating Russian financial crisis. To combat rampant inflation and simplify accounting, a redenomination was implemented. The "new" current Ruble, assigned the code "RUB", replaced the RUR at a rate of 1 RUB = 1,000 RUR. This reform aimed to stabilize the economy and restore public confidence, though it coincided with a severe financial downturn that included a government default and a banking crisis.

Geographical Reach and Influence

While the Russian Ruble is the primary currency of the Russian Federation, the term "ruble" is also used for national currencies in other post-Soviet states, although these are distinct and not interchangeable with the Russian Ruble. Today, besides Russia, only Belarus uses the Belarusian Ruble, and the unrecognised state of Transnistria uses the Transnistrian Ruble.

Furthermore, the Russian Ruble holds significant informal or unofficial usage in several regions with complex geopolitical statuses. As of recent times, it is widely used in the four partially recognised republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Luhansk People's Republic. In these territories, which are economically and politically closely aligned with Russia, the Russian Ruble often functions as the de facto currency for daily transactions and economic activities.

The Ruble in the Global Economy

The Russian Ruble is an active participant in the international foreign exchange (forex) market. As of April 2019, it was ranked as the seventeenth most traded currency globally, underscoring its liquidity and importance in international financial transactions. The Ruble operates as a free-floating currency, meaning its exchange rate against other currencies is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the market, rather than being fixed by a government or central bank. This makes its value susceptible to a variety of factors, including global oil prices (a major Russian export), geopolitical developments, economic sanctions, and domestic monetary policy decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Russian Ruble

What is the official currency symbol and code for the Russian Ruble?

The official symbol for the Russian Ruble is ₽, and its international currency code is RUB.

How many kopeks make up one Russian Ruble?

One Russian Ruble is subdivided into 100 kopeks.

When was the Russian Ruble redenominated, and why?

The Russian Ruble was redenominated in 1998, before the financial crisis. This redenomination replaced 1,000 old rubles (RUR) with 1 new ruble (RUB), primarily to combat high inflation and simplify monetary transactions and accounting.

Is the Russian Ruble used outside of Russia?

While Belarus and Transnistria have currencies named "ruble," they are distinct. However, the Russian Ruble is unofficially widely used as a de facto currency in the partially recognised republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Is the Russian Ruble a free-floating currency?

Yes, the Russian Ruble is a free-floating currency, meaning its value is determined by market forces of supply and demand, influenced by various economic and geopolitical factors.