Russia's last major independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta shuts down Moscow office
The publication cited sustained pressure from government officials and security agencies for the closure of its newsroom after 33 years.
Novaya Gazeta, Russia's last major independent newspaper critical of the Kremlin, shut down its Moscow office on Monday, according to the Times of India. The newspaper stated that Russian authorities and security services forced its editorial team to cease operations.
The publication, which was founded in 1993, has faced mounting restrictions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Authorities had previously designated the newspaper a “foreign agent”, fined it for allegedly discrediting the armed forces, and revoked its media registration.
Investigations desk editor Tatiana Britskaya said she had expected the shutdown almost every day over the past four-and-a-half years. She described the decision as incredibly difficult, stating the office was more than a workplace and was their home.
The newspaper's editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov, expressed hope for an eventual return. He said that as soon as signs appear that the country stirs from this era, Novaya Gazeta will return to its readers and colleagues.
The newsroom previously displayed portraits of six journalists who were killed for their work, including Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot dead in 2006. Former editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, a 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner, also faced intimidation before stepping down in 2023.
Some journalists left Russia in 2022 to establish Novaya Gazeta Europe, a separate publication that continues to criticise the Kremlin and its military campaign in Ukraine.
