The central bank set its official rouble rate for Thursday at 20.65 to the dollar, just three kopecks lower than the 20.62 per dollar for Wednesday.The central bank rate is based on the weighted average of morning trade on the electronic SELT system of the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (MICEX).

Dealers said holiday spending requiring Russians to convert hard currency savings into roubles had helped bolster the flagging currency by reducing demand for dollars.

"Today" roubles for same day settlement in MICEX's closed morning session for importers and exporters averaged 20.6476 per dollar against 20.6154 on Tuesday.

Volume for today roubles was strong at $141.99 million. Neither "tomorrow" roubles for next day settlement nor "spot" roubles for day-after-next settlement were traded on Wednesday ahead of the New Year'sholiday.