The move comes after the international ratings agency Standard & Poor's cut Russia's sovereign credit rating one notch on April 25 to BBB- and kept its outlook "negative."
The agency cited a risk of increased capital flight amid the Ukraine crisis for its decision as some $50.6 billion left Russia in the first quarter.
The central bank also said on April 25 that inflation had increased this month to 7.2 percent, up from 6.4 percent in March.
The ruble also lost ground against both the euro and the dollar, falling to 35.93 rubles to $1 and 49.7 rubles to 1 euro.
Ukrainians now entitled to 10-year US visas - ambassador @GeoffPyatt
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) April 25, 2014
Yelena Rybak buries her husband, #Ukraine councilman who met a gruesome end. http://t.co/GKYxn8QTzB pic.twitter.com/07ZSY4vtSt
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) April 25, 2014
The regional gov't building in Donetsk is still occupied. But where are all the protesters? Sign of tepid support? http://t.co/eXKb2dugxO
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) April 25, 2014
Commander of anti-terror operation says Sloviansk will be blockaded, but there will be no assault inside town. http://t.co/mgrgwMmluU
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) April 25, 2014
The Guardian: The billionaire parachuted in to run #Ukraine's most troubled region http://t.co/aYb2mhkz4J pic.twitter.com/JmHd5u2R7w
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 25, 2014
The spokesman said Merkel conveyed her "great concern" to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call today.
The Geneva statement, intended to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, was agreed on April 17 by the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States, but few measures have been implemented so far.
Russian GRAD rocket launchers moving towards Ukraine border. Very nasty weapon if you're on receiving end pic.twitter.com/fPxv2dlz6b
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) April 25, 2014
According to @ukrpravda_news, the pilot of the crashed helicopter was shot by a sniper, says the 'anti-terrorist' center
— Olaf Koens (@obk) April 25, 2014
Local site reports exploded chopper at Kramatorsk airfield http://t.co/dih1s7h7g2
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) April 25, 2014