Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Russia's sovereign debt rating to junk status, citing the conflict in Ukraine, low oil prices and exchange-rate issues.

The rating was lowered to Ba1 from Baa 3.

Moody's believes "the government's financial strength will diminish materially as a result of fiscal pressures and the continued erosion of" Russia's foreign exchange reserves due to capital outflows and restricted access to international capital markets.

Moody's also downgraded Russia in January, signaling a possible further downgrade.

The rating firm said at the time that it expected Russia's real gross domestic product to grow around 5.5% in 2015 and 3% in 2016, bringing real growth over the 10-year period through 2018 to "virtually zero."

Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com

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