The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) opened trading on Thursday with a fall amid the US imposition of new sanctions against the largest Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil.
As reported by TASS with reference to data from the trading platform, as of 10:00 Moscow time, the RTS index at the opening of trading dropped below 1,000 points for the first time since October 15, 2025 year and was at the level of 987.57 points (-3.51%), and the Moscow Exchange index decreased by 3.51%, to 2,559.83 points.
By 10:15 Moscow time, the Moscow Exchange index slowed down to 2,571.26 points (-3.05%), and the RTS index was 991.99 points (-3.08%).
Shares of Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft are also falling in price.
So, by 7.16 Moscow time, Lukoil shares fell in price by 4.18% relative to the previous close, to 5,799 rubles, and Rosneft – by 4.03%, to 385.75 ruble.
The day before, the US Treasury added two of the largest Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as their subsidiaries, to its sanctions list, citing a “serious lack of commitment” to the peace process aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
In addition, the European Commission approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes, in particular, restrictions on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the country.