Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday urged Russia's central bank to take action to maintain macroeconomic stability in the country and to intervene in the foreign currency market when necessary to keep the rubble stable.

Medvedev made the remarks as the ruble's official exchange rate slumped to 33.74 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, a record low since July 2009.

"Of course, emotions may be different. Nevertheless, there are some rules the central bank should follow, including the foreign currency corridor, and stepping up interventions," Medvedev told a conference dealing with the current situation of the Russian economy.

He added that interventions in the currency market should take into account the economic situation, European trends and oil prices.

Sergei Ignatiyev, chairman of the Russian central bank, told Medvedev that if oil prices rise, the ruble would strengthen. However, if oil prices fall, it could weaken again.

Earlier, market analysts said the ruble's swift depreciation is a result of continuing capital outflow from Russia and risk aversion among investors who consider the ruble a risky asset because its value is directly connected with the volatile global oil prices.

The central bank this week started selling U.S. dollars on the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange, the first time since January, to curb the ruble's slide. It sold about 200 million dollars on Friday alone.

The Russian currency fell to an all-time low of 36.70 against the greenback in February 2009.