Ruble Slides Most Since Crimea on Sanctions, Stocks Drop

The ruble weakened the most since the country intervened in Crimea and Russian stocks fell as the U.S. imposed new sanctions on companies to punish President Vladimir Putin for failing to end support for rebels in Ukraine.

The currency lost 2.3 percent to 35.1610 per dollar at 8:26 p.m. in Moscow, the most since March 3. The Micex Index slid 2.3 percent to 1,440.63, the lowest since May 30. OAO Rosneft posted the biggest retreat since May 2013 and its bonds fell the most on record after the oil producer appeared on a list released by the Obama administration, which acted in concert with the European Union yesterday to escalate sanctions. OAO Novatek, also on the list, had its steepest drop in four months.