KIEV, Feb. 3 - Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Ukraine's government bond rating to Caa2 from Caa1 and assigned a negative outlook, according to a press release posted on the government's website.

The decision to downgrade Ukraine's sovereign rating was driven by the escalation of social and political tensions in the country, and the associated risk of a severe administrative crisis and/or prolonged political uncertainty, according to the press release.