OAO Sberbank and OAO VTB Group, Russia's two biggest banks, led the decline in Moscow, falling 14 percent and 16 percent respectively.
The ruble-denominated Micex plunged 14 percent to 919.24 at 4:11 p.m. in Moscow, the lowest level in almost three years. The dollar-denominated RTS Index dropped 10 percent to 1,151.16, a 54 percent retreat from its highest close of 2,487.92, on May 19.