Turchinov has replaced his SBU antiterror op chief (mebbe not greatest sign of unity in ranks with op underway) http://t.co/lKw6kRINjV
— tom balmforth (@BalmforthTom) April 14, 2014
Moscow's benchmark MICEX, which is denominated in rubles, fell more than 1 percent this morning, while the dollar-denominated RTS lost more than 2 percent.
Shares in the Gazprom energy giant also fell more than 1 percent.
The Russian ruble, meanwhile, retreated both against the euro and against the dollar to its lowest levels in three weeks.
European equities also slipped to a three-week low following a sharp U.S. sell-off on the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Germany's benchmark DAX share index, which includes several companies with significant exposure to Russia, was down nearly 1 percent.
In London, oil major BP, which has a stake in Russia's biggest oil producer Rosneft, lost more than 1 percent.
In case you forgot they have nukes, Russia just tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile: http://t.co/SvKUk0Ww3d
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) April 14, 2014
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchynov has said the Ukrainian government is "not against" a referendum on the country's form of government.
In televised comments this morning, Turchynov said a referendum could be held at the same time as presidential elections scheduled for May 25.
Turchynov said he was sure the majority of Ukrainians would back a united, independent country.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said more information was needed on the referendum mooted in Kyiv.
The holding of such a referendum has been one of the key demands of pro-Russia separatists who have occupied state buildings in the east of the country.
There were no signs the separatists were preparing to comply with a government ultimatum to hand over their weapons and leave the state buildings by early morning today.
The government had threatened a "large-scale" military operation if the separatists failed to comply.
Stream from Horlivka in E Ukraine, pro-Russian activists attempt to storm police stn, smash windows & break inside: http://t.co/ys0fBFpNkK
— Laura Mills (@lauraphylmills) April 14, 2014
!!!Breaking News!!!
Our news desk has reported a potentially interesting development in Kyiv:
Govenor of #Donetsk Sergiy #Taruta announces special operation regime, but still no sign of it on the ground #Donbas
— Harriet Salem (@HarrietSalem) April 14, 2014
With tensions rising over Ukraine, Russia test launches a new ICBM and Putin gives himself a pay rise
— tom balmforth (@BalmforthTom) April 14, 2014
1/2 Was just taken at gunpoint into the barricades here in Sloviansk, placed on my knees, surrounded by guns at me.
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) April 14, 20142/2 Had to talk out of what I felt was real danger. Then guys are ok, apologise to me, say `this is war in Ukraine, please understand that`
— GrahamWPhillips (@GrahamWP_UK) April 14, 2014Hostility towards journos in E #Ukraine v high MT @GrahamWP_UK Was just taken at gunpoint...placed on my knees, surrounded by guns at me.
— Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) April 14, 2014