MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Shares of Russian companies declined on the Moscow Exchange on Thursday. Thus, Aeroflot shares in early trading fell by 8.7%, ordinary shares of Sberbank declined by 4%, Rusal - by 3.3%, VTB - by 2.3%.

Shares declined after the news that US authorities plan to impose new sanctions against Russia over Skripal case. The new measures are expected to enter into force on August 22.

The ruble also declined in early trading on Thursday. The dollar exceeded the level of 66 rubles for the first time since mid-November 2016, and the euro rate rose above 77 rubles for the first time since April 16 of 2018.