March 11 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble strengthened to

a more than six-week high against the dollar on Tuesday, buoyed

by subdued imports and hopes for a resolution to the war in

Ukraine, even after Kyiv launched its biggest drone attack on

Moscow.

Ukraine's attack, in which at least 91 drones targeted the

Russian capital, sparked fires, closed airports and forced

dozens of flights to be diverted, Russian officials said.

By 1319 GMT, the rouble was up 2.7% at 85.25 to the

dollar in over-the-counter market trade, its strongest level

since August 7, 2024. Against the Chinese yuan, the most traded

foreign currency in Russia, the rouble was up 0.9% to 11.77.

The rouble is up against the dollar this year, mostly thanks

to expectations of improved relations between Moscow and

Washington that could produce some conflict resolution in

Ukraine and the possible easing of sanctions against Russia.

A trader at a major Russian bank, who spoke on condition of

anonymity, said active rouble buying was happening because there

is a feeling in the market that agreements may have already been

reached.

The rouble brushed aside U.S. President Donald Trump's

threat last week of imposing banking sanctions on Russia to

force it to the negotiating table and was unmoved by Ukraine's

drone bombardment on Tuesday.

Strong exports, subdued imports and the geopolitical risk

premium is keeping the national currency from devaluation, said

BCS World of Investments analysts.

"The national currency's exchange rate can only devalue if

negotiations are disrupted without prospects for their

resumption, but this is not the baseline scenario," they said.

Alfa Bank strategist John Walsh said Russian investors were

waiting for news from crunch talks between Ukrainian and U.S.

officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, which could provoke a

sharp volatility spike.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was up 0.3% at $69.49 a barrel.