I will repeat my previous comment. Looks like a reasonable response to "freezing" (read, seizing) assets of the Central Bank of Russia and the credit rating do

I will repeat my previous comment. Looks like a reasonable response to "freezing" (read, seizing) assets of the Central Bank of Russia and the credit rating downgrades. Not only it plays role of deterrence to some extent (destabilize our markets and your investors will suffer), but also significantly limits amount of liquidity which will be able to leave the Russian market, thus helping to support their currency. Note that even with the old exchange rate Russia was able to accumulate sizable reserves. Now it not only spends its liquefiable foreign assets, but also introduced requirement for exporters to convert into rubles 80% of their foreign revenue.