The Russian stock market started trading on Friday in the red zone due to the deterioration of the external situation and investors’ reluctance to buy ahead of the long weekend in Russia.

At the end of yesterday’s trading stock markets in Western Europe fell on the results of the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting.

U.S. stock indices ended trading with a sharp decline.

Asian stock markets are mostly falling today, with the exception of the Chinese market, which turned to growth.

Oil prices are moderately declining, having ended the previous session in a slight negative due to concerns about the introduction of new lockdowns in China.

The MosBirch index fell by 0.77% to 2276.27 points during a minute of trading.

The RTS index by 10:01 Moscow time decreased by 0.53% to 1206.19 points.