Ukraine`s hryvnia slipped to 6.0 to the dollar on Tuesday from 5.83 the previous day in the absence of what in recent weeks has become routine central bank intervention to support the currency, Reuters reported.

The central bank intervened on Monday, selling dollars on the interbank market at 5.79.

"In the absence of the central bank, trading slipped below 5.90, but I can`t say there is any panic," said one dealer.

"But we could fall to 7.0 tomorrow. There were offers to buy dollars at 6.10. There were some deals this morning at 5.97 but the amounts were very small."

Traders said the central bank had given no explanation for not supporting the hryvnia as it has for nearly two months.

"People are saying it`s because of the IMF, that the Fund is unhappy, that this is not a real market and that reserves are being spent -- and not on structural changes," said one dealer.