[Goose]

Apparently Russia had been using foreign currency reserves to buy rubles to keep the price up, but these are now depleted and so the drop in value has accelerated.

It's certainly a pressure point for Russia. The lower ruble value will make their petroleum exports even more desirable however.
I'm not sure if they have more export capacity, and Ukraine has been doing their best to blow up that export infrastructure.

I am not sure the price of Russian oil will actually drop. Russia is suffering from both very high interest rates AND severe inflation. I think Russia still insists on being paid in rubles for their exports. Russia will simply increase the price in rubles to offset the reduction in the value of the ruble. That won't change the actual "dollar" price their customers have to pay, so they won't lose any market share by doing that. Of course, Russia could always (in theory at least) increase the quantity of their exports by dropping the price. That is true no matter what the exchange rate may be. Right now I think Russia could produce more export crude oil, but the available fleet of tankers is limited by sanctions. Probably little or no excess capacity there

In other good news, Syrian regime forces and their Russian allies have suffered a big blow, and rebel forces have captured a regime base, along with weapons, and at least a couple tanks, and are now positioned only a couple miles from Aleppo. Many videos and photos of dead or captured Russian SOF and drone operators.

Indeed more good news! Thanks for the post. It led me to look at https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/27/middleeas...index.html It sounds like this isn't (yet) a "big" deal, but right now Russia doesn't have much ability to assist the Assad regime. The fact some of the wealthy are fleeing Aleppo makes one wonder if the regime may be in more trouble than it appears. It would be nice if Russia simply decided to leave Syria. Not probable, but if things get worse I wouldn't rule it out. Russia doesn't want to lose what assets it has already committed. Being on the losing side would also not be a good look.

UPDATE: https://defence-blog.com/russian-elite-f...el-attack/ talks more about Russian casualties and Russian involvement.

[Goose]

Apparently Russia had been using foreign currency reserves to buy rubles to keep the price up, but these are now depleted and so the drop in value has accelerated.

It's certainly a pressure point for Russia. The lower ruble value will make their petroleum exports even more desirable however.
I'm not sure if they have more export capacity, and Ukraine has been doing their best to blow up that export infrastructure.

I am not sure the price of Russian oil will actually drop. Russia is suffering from both very high interest rates AND severe inflation. I think Russia still insists on being paid in rubles for their exports. Russia will simply increase the price in rubles to offset the reduction in the value of the ruble. That won't change the actual "dollar" price their customers have to pay, so they won't lose any market share by doing that. Of course, Russia could always (in theory at least) increase the quantity of their exports by dropping the price. That is true no matter what the exchange rate may be. Right now I think Russia could produce more export crude oil, but the available fleet of tankers is limited by sanctions. Probably little or no excess capacity there

In other good news, Syrian regime forces and their Russian allies have suffered a big blow, and rebel forces have captured a regime base, along with weapons, and at least a couple tanks, and are now positioned only a couple miles from Aleppo. Many videos and photos of dead or captured Russian SOF and drone operators.

Indeed more good news! Thanks for the post. It led me to look at https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/27/middleeas...index.html It sounds like this isn't (yet) a "big" deal, but right now Russia doesn't have much ability to assist the Assad regime. The fact some of the wealthy are fleeing Aleppo makes one wonder if the regime may be in more trouble than it appears. It would be nice if Russia simply decided to leave Syria. Not probable, but if things get worse I wouldn't rule it out. Russia doesn't want to lose what assets it has already committed. Being on the losing side would also not be a good look.

UPDATE: https://defence-blog.com/russian-elite-f...el-attack/ talks more about Russian casualties and Russian involvement.