MOSCOW, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble

strengthened against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, following a

weakening in the previous day's session, as volatility persisted

due to disruptions in foreign trade payments after new U.S.

sanctions imposed in November.

By 0830 GMT, the rouble was up by 1.5% at 103.00

against the dollar, according to over-the-counter market data

from banks. The rouble strengthened by 0.1% to 14.05 against

China's yuan in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange.

The rouble fell by as much as 15% against the dollar in

November after U.S. sanctions hit Russia's third-largest lender

Gazprombank, which handled payments for Russian energy. The

sanctions prompted panic buying of foreign currency.

The rouble has since regained some of the lost ground and

stabilised above 100 to the dollar, seen by the market as the

new equilibrium level, at which the Russian currency could

remain for some time provided there are no new external shocks.

U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control(OFAC) also issued

licenses authorizing U.S. entities to wind down transactions

involving Gazprombank and other sanctioned banks by Dec. 20.

"The forex market is influenced not only by traditional

factors but also by such factors as the end of the OFAC deadline

for winding down operations with banks from the November

package," Bank of Saint Petersburg's analysts said in a note.

The market was expecting some support for the rouble from

increased foreign currency sales by exporting companies, which

need to buy roubles at the end of the month to make their

corporate tax payments.

One-day rouble/dollar futures, which trade on the Moscow

Stock Exchange and are a guide for the over-the-counter exchange

rate, were flat at 104.1. The Russian central bank set an

official exchange rate at 103.00 to the dollar.