The rouble would be under pressure from political risk in the run-up to the weekend, but could gain a foothold near 76 to the dollar, Sberbank CIB analysts said in a note.
"Any destabilisation of the political situation in the country is always a strong negative both for equities and for the rouble," said Alor Broker analyst Alexei Antonov.
The rouble was 1.2% weaker against the dollar at 74.78, earlier slipping to 74.9975.
Some investors were also taking profits after an emerging market currency rally this week, driven by hopes of a $1.9 trillion U.S fiscal stimulus package.
The Moscow Exchange will be closed for four days from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, but many traders will be away from their desks for longer as Russia's holiday season ends on Jan. 11.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was down 1.7% at $50.05 a barrel as a new strain of the novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom triggered concerns over fuel demand recovery.
The rouble has been on a recovery path since the US presidential election in early November and hit a four-month peak against the dollar last week before tumbling on Monday.
The rouble was down 2.3% to 75.03 against the dollar.
The rouble shed 0.2pc to 75.22 against the dollar as of 0745 GMT, moving away from its strongest level since Sept. 18 of 75.07 that it hit on Wednesday.
The US dollar rose to its highest in a week as investors bought into the safe-haven asset after the US Labor Department reported job growth slowed further in August.
Market volatility increased in the second half of the day. The US market will be closed for a holiday on Monday.