"They killed us": the Russian newspaper that opposed Putin closes after 33 years

The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, known for its criticism of the Kremlin, announced its closure on November 9 following ongoing pressure from the authorities. The newspaper was required to vacate its offices, was cut off from funding sources, and was banned from publishing. Former editor Dmitry Muratov accused the authorities of deliberate liquidation.

The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, known for its investigative reporting against the government, announced its closure on November 9, 2026, after 33 years of operation, following ongoing pressure from the authorities. The newspaper was required to vacate its offices in Moscow, was cut off from funding sources, and was banned from publishing. In an editorial statement, it was written: "Novaya Gazeta has been liquidated." The newspaper was founded in 1993 with the assistance of Mikhail Gorbachev, and six of its journalists were murdered, including Anna Politkovskaya. Pressure has intensified since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Former editor Dmitry Muratov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, accused the authorities of deliberate liquidation. Some journalists continue to operate under the framework of "Novaya Gazeta Europe."