Demand for the yuan in Russia has increased since Feb. 24 when Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine and the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow, limiting its access to the dollar and euro markets.

Russia's main trading hours are between 0700 and 1600 GMT. The earlier trading session begins at 0350 GMT and was introduced in March last year as part of an effort to attract more Asian investors.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Hugh Lawson)