MOSCOW, March 21 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble

strengthened against the dollar, euro and yuan on Thursday,

supported by high oil prices and favourable month-end tax

payments, as the market looked ahead to an expected interest

rate hold at 16% on Friday.

By 1035 GMT, the rouble was 0.8% stronger against the dollar

at 91.54 and had gained 0.3% to trade at 99.96

versus the euro. It had firmed 0.9% against the

yuan to 12.69.

President Vladimir Putin secured a landslide election

victory last week, extending his rule by a further six years.

His win was condemned as unfair and undemocratic by Western

governments, but he was congratulated by China, India, North

Korea and others.

The Russian market's focus has now turned to the central

bank. All 24 analysts polled by Reuters expect borrowing costs

to remain unchanged on Friday, but some have said there is a

slight chance of a hike.

Ahead of the decision, the rouble is being buttressed by oil

prices, which hit their highest since early November this week,

and month-end tax payments that usually see exporters convert

foreign currency revenues to meet domestic liabilities.

"The positive dynamics in oil prices and the increased

supply of foreign currency from exporters, who are preparing for

next week's tax payments, will support the rouble and contribute

to its strengthening," Banki.ru chief analyst Bogdan Zvarich

said.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was down 0.2% at $85.78 a barrel.

Russian stock indexes were higher.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 1.4% to

1,129.2 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was

0.4% higher at 3,280.2 points.

For Russian equities guide see

For Russian treasury bonds see