Asian stock markets tumble as Russia-Ukraine crisis escalates

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Asian stock exchanges closed on Tuesday at a low note amid the deepening Russia-Ukraine crisis after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Late Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the pro-Russian separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

Hours after his controversial decision, Putin ordered Russian troops to move to eastern Ukraine for the alleged purpose of peacekeeping.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, dove 45.6 points, or 1.23%, to 3,654.7 points at 1006GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange fell 461.26 points, or 1.71%, to 26,449.6. China's Shanghai Stock Exchange decreased 33.47 points, or 0.96%, to close at 3,457 points.

Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, posted the largest drop at Tuesday close, down 650.1 points, or 2.69%, to 23,520.

The Indian Sensex benchmark declined 382.9 points, or 0.66%, to close at 57,300, while the Singapore index also went down 35.8 points, or 1.04%, to reach 3,400.