MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin faces a major new challenge after a catastrophic fall in the value of the ruble, which hit a new low on Dec. 16 despite the Central Bank's desperate efforts to halt the selling. On the streets of Moscow, panicky consumers rushed out to buy home appliances before they became even more expensive.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Associated Press: Ruble collapse shakes Russian economy, consumers
Pedestrians walk along a board listing foreign currency rates against the Russian ruble outside an exchange office in central Moscow on December 12, 2014.
