The thing is, Russia demands paying for gas and oil in Rubles, and to do that, you must open an account in Gazprombank and sell your currency (Euro, dollars etc.) in order to buy Ruble and this is the main reason why Ruble is stronger now than before. I think it is still not backed up in Gold. November will be an interesting month, as in November stops with importing Russian oil in the EU. That was in the last sanction "package". You are witnessing EU's autodestruction. Will be dark, cold and long winter in Europe.