OREANDA-NEWS The Russian ruble strengthened after the start of currency interventions by the Central Bank. According to the Moscow Exchange, at the opening of trading, the dollar fell by 1.6% and at a minimum was 83.9 rubles, the euro fell by 1.16 rubles (1.2%) to 94.05 rubles. Earlier, the regulator promised to use "all necessary tools" to maintain the stability of the financial system.

By 9:55 Moscow time, the dollar was trading at 84.61 rubles (-64 kopecks), the euro was at 94.84 rubles (-37 kopecks to the closing level on February 24).

The depreciation of the national currency is taking place against the background of the beginning of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Kiev has already severed diplomatic relations with Moscow.

It also became known earlier that Russian billionaires lost $39 billion in total after the market collapse on Thursday, the fortune of Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov decreased the most.

Since February 16, Russian billionaires have become impoverished by $ 90 billion.

The fortune of the main beneficiary of Severstal, Alexey Mordashov, decreased by $ 3.3 billion (11.3%), and Suleiman Kerimov, whose family controls the Polyus company, lost 2.6 billion (18.2%). NLMK's main beneficiary, Vladimir Lisin, was impoverished by $2.5 billion or 8.3% on Thursday.

Oleg Tinkov, the founder of TCS Group, lost the most in percentage terms - his fortune decreased by $ 2 billion, that is, 52.2%. One of the main owners of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, has become impoverished by $ 1.9 billion, or 7%.