Putin’s directives to the Russian national bank and restrictions on money trades are artificially propping up the ruble. If you look at trade volumes in the ruble, it’s declined over 90% since the war has started. It’s not real.
That’s simply because nobody wants dollars anymore in Russia. Do you suggest that they are also manipulating the ruble rate on Forex in London and the Ruble/Yuan rate on Shanghai exchange? If there were manipulations you would have to see increased volumes and centbank selling its dollars away. It doesn’t happen for some reason. Foreign importers are buying rubles to pay for Russian exports instead.
You guys are almost funny in your russophobic zeal.