Novaya Gazeta Ends Operations Under Kremlin Pressure

One of Russia's most prominent independent newspapers is preparing to end its three-decade history after mounting government pressure left it without the resources to continue operating. Novaya Gazeta announced its closure on October 30, 2026, blaming Russian authorities and security services for restrictions that effectively dismantled its operations.

Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov confirmed that the publication would close its remaining operations on November 9. The decision follows the revocation of its media license, website restrictions, an eviction order and the shutdown of its reader-donation system, according to statements reported by Al Jazeera, BBC and CNN.

The newspaper said the combination of these measures eliminated its ability to finance its work and maintain its editorial operations. Its final edition will be published before the organization suspends activities under its current name.

In a statement announcing the closure, the editorial board directly blamed state authorities for the newspaper's disappearance.

"The newspaper is gone. The Russian authorities and intelligence services forced the editorial staff to cease operations," Novaya Gazeta's editorial board said.

The statement, titled We Were Killed, described the closure as the result of coordinated pressure. The newspaper also said its remaining financial and operational resources had been taken away.

"We carried on as long as we could, but we were evicted from our home and our donations platform that allowed us to receive financial support from our readers has been shut down," the newspaper said.

The publication added that its resources had been completely exhausted.

"We have been stripped of all our resources. Entirely," Novaya Gazeta said.

Sokolov announced the shutdown in a video statement published online, confirming the date when the newsroom would close.

"On November 9 we will turn off the lights in our home, where we have lived for 30 years. We will shut down the servers and leave," Sokolov said.

In comments to CNN, the editor-in-chief also described the broader consequences of restrictions on independent journalism in Russia.

"The information space in Russia has disappeared," Sokolov said.

He said Russian residents increasingly lacked access to independent reporting about events in their communities, as available information was dominated by state-approved narratives and propaganda.

Novaya Gazeta's closure follows years of legal and administrative pressure. The newspaper initially suspended its Russian print and online editions after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following a warning from media regulator Roskomnadzor.

Russian lawmakers introduced legislation in March 2022 criminalizing the dissemination of information about the military deemed false by authorities. The measures contributed to journalists leaving the country and further restricted independent reporting.

The newspaper subsequently faced website blocking, the revocation of its media license and the designation of several employees and contributors as foreign agents. The designation carries financial and reporting obligations and is frequently applied to individuals and organizations critical of the government.

More recently, authorities searched Sokolov's home and questioned him in connection with a criminal investigation involving investigative journalist Oleg Roldugin. Roldugin was arrested in April and charged with unlawful access to computerized information, according to the reports.

The newspaper has also experienced deadly attacks against its journalists. Six journalists associated with the publication have been murdered during its history, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot dead outside her Moscow apartment in 2006.

Politkovskaya investigated human rights abuses and the wars in Chechnya. Her killing became one of the most prominent cases associated with the dangers faced by independent journalists in Russia.

Novaya Gazeta was founded in the early 1990s, partly with the support of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Its investigative reporting examined corruption, human rights violations and alleged abuses of power by government officials.

Its former editor-in-chief and co-founder Dmitry Muratov received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Filipino journalist Maria Ressa. The award recognized their efforts to protect freedom of expression as a foundation for democracy and lasting peace.

Despite the newspaper's international recognition, Russian authorities designated Muratov a foreign agent in 2023. The newspaper itself also received the designation.

Following the restrictions imposed in Russia, an affiliated publication, Novaya Gazeta Europe, established operations in Riga, Latvia. The original newspaper's shutdown marks another major disruption to independent media operating inside Russia.

In a separate statement to CNN, Novaya Gazeta confirmed that it could no longer continue publishing under its established identity.

"We cannot continue working under the name 'Novaya Gazeta.' 'Novaya' no longer exists. One final issue will be published — and that's it. After that, we'll take a pause, reflect, and come up with a new life for ourselves," the newspaper said.