MOSCOW, April 1 (Reuters) - Russia's benchmark stock

index strengthened to its highest point since the day Russia

sent its troops into Ukraine in February 2022 on Monday, while

the rouble firmed slightly against the U.S. dollar.

By 1025 GMT, the rouble-based MOEX Russian index

gained 0.9% to 3,361.5 points, its strongest since Feb. 24,

2022. The dollar-denominated RTS index rose 0.9%

to 1,147.5 points.

The rouble was 0.2% higher at 92.29 to the

dollar.

The rouble could face weakening risks in the coming days,

said Yevgeny Loktyukhov of Promsvyazbank, as a favourable

month-end tax period has ended and there could be pent-up demand

for dollars and euros in the United States and Europe after the

Easter break.

Against the euro, the rouble rose 0.1%

to 99.53 and dropped 0.1% to 12.69 against the yuan

.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, fell 0.3% to $86.71 a barrel.

($1 = 92.2500 roubles)