Moscow, (AFP) - The Moscow Stock Exchange fell by 9% on Tuesday, after the pro-Russian authorities announced that they would soon hold referendums on joining Russia in four regions of eastern and southern Ukraine controlled by Moscow.

The main index Moex (in rubles) closed down by 8.84% at 2215.67 points, while the RTS (dollar denominated) fell by 9.31% at 1154.17 points, according to the figures released by the financial platform.

This is the largest decline recorded since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, when markets fell by 33%.

On that day, $190 billion evaporated in one day, and the stock exchange decided the next day to suspend most of its activities for several weeks.

Since then, the Russian Central Bank imposed strict control over transactions in the markets, especially over the currencies in circulation.

The share of the Russian giant Gazprom, which is mostly controlled by the Russian state, declined, on Tuesday, by 10.56%, against the backdrop of a new escalation between Moscow and Kiev.

The price of the ruble, which has improved for several months, has not changed against the dollar and the euro, and the dollar is still trading at about 60 rubles.