Russian Stock Markets, Ruble Fall

Both Moscow's benchmark MICEX index and the dollar-denominated RTS have suffered a significant drop. (file photo)

Russian stock markets and the ruble have fallen amid heightened tensions in Ukraine.

Moscow's benchmark MICEX, which is denominated in rubles, fell more than 1 percent on the morning of April 14, 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.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters