The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DNR and LNR). In addition, the president instructed the armed forces of the Russian Federation to carry out peacekeeping functions in the self-proclaimed republics. As eyewitnesses told Interfax, two columns of armored vehicles are on the territory of the DPR and follow to the north and west of the republic.

Western countries called Moscow's actions a violation of international law and announced their intention to impose sanctions, which could be announced as early as Tuesday.

The Japanese Nikkei fell by 1.8% by 8:12 GMT+2.

Shares of consumer electronics manufacturer Sharp Corp. are among the drop leaders among the components of the index. (-7.71%), which continue to fall in price after falling the day before. The company said it plans to buy loss-making display maker Sakai Display Products Corp.

Also, securities of the transport company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. are falling sharply. (-6.7%) and video game developer NEXON Co. Ltd. (-6.2%).

Securities of the investment company SoftBank Group Corp. cheaper by 0.6%, automaker Toyota Motor Corp. - by 2.3%.

The Hong Kong Hang Seng by 8:18 GMT + 2 fell by 3.3%, the Shanghai Shanghai Composite - by 1.4%.

Among the decliners in Hong Kong are shares of gas pipeline operator ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (-10.9%), Hang Seng Bank Ltd. (-6.6%) and internet giant Meituan (HK:3690) (-6.3%).

Securities of IT companies Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. drop by 3.7%, Tencent Holdings Ltd. - by 2.1%.

South Korean Kospi fell by 1.7% by 8:14 GMT+2.

The consumer confidence index in South Korea fell 1.3 points to 103.1 points in February, the lowest level since last August. A month earlier, the value of the indicator was 104.4 points.

Capitalization of chipmaker Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. declined by 1.8%, the value of shares of automakers Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. (KS:005380) and Kia Corp. decreases by 2.2% and 1.9%.

The Australian S&P/ASX 200 fell 1%.

The world's largest mining companies BHP and Rio Tinto lost 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively.