Russian stocks, ruble fall over Ukraine crisis

Russian stock markets fell on Monday as investors expressed alarm at the escalating crisis in Ukraine following the Malaysian plane disaster and the prospects of tougher sanctions doing more damage to the Russian economy. Moscow's ruble-denominated Micex stock exchange was down 1.27 per cent in late morning trading, while the dollar-denominated RTS was down 1.32 per cent. The two markets have fallen by nearly five and seven per cent respectively since Wednesday. The ruble also fell against the dollar and the euro, with the dollar worth 35.12 rubles and the euro 47.50 rubles. The ruble had plunged on Friday in response to the air disaster and new US sanctions against Russia, according to AFP.