Why is Russia deliberately weakening its currency?

GOVERNMENTS AND central banks usually insist that they want a strong currency. Not, just now, in Russia. On August 5th the Ministry of Finance declared that it would increase its daily purchases of foreign currencies and gold by around 20%, from 5.4bn roubles (then $69m) in July to 6.5bn roubles. The rouble duly slid, from around 80 to the dollar in early August to beyond 85 by the middle of the month, its lowest level since March.A stronger currency means cheaper imports, lower inflation and less pressure on interest rates; a weaker one means the oppositeA stronger currency means cheaper imports, lower inflation and less pressure on interest rates; a weaker one means the opposite. As Russians know well, a sudden slide can trigger financial panic, as it did after their country invaded Ukra