Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta has announced that it is ceasing operations, blaming what it describes as sustained pressure from Russian authorities and security services following searches, criminal proceedings involving its journalists and the loss of financial support.
The newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov, announced the closure in a video statement published on YouTube on Friday, saying the editorial team had been forced to stop its work.
“Novaya Gazeta is ceasing to exist. The Russian authorities – the Russian special services – have forced the editorial team to end its work.”
Sergei Sokolov
He said that it would shut down its operations on November 9, bringing an end to more than three decades of independent journalism in Russia.
“On November 9th, we will turn off the lights in the home where we have lived for 30 years, shut down our servers, and leave. The newspaper no longer exists. The Russian authorities and the Russian security services have forced our editorial team to cease its operations.”
Sergei Sokolov
The publication attributed its closure to mounting pressure, the loss of its office and the shutdown of its donations platform, which had allowed readers to provide financial support.
“More than 30 years of our life shared with our country and its citizens will end, leaving us homeless, with no means of existence and under the constant threat of repression.
“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. We have been stripped of all our resources.”
Novaya Gazeta
The announcement marks a significant development for one of Russia’s best-known independent media outlets, which has frequently scrutinised government actions and faced repeated challenges to its operations.
Proceedings Add To Pressure
The closure follows a series of actions against the newspaper and its journalists.
Earlier this month, Russian authorities searched Sokolov’s home and took him in for questioning in connection with a criminal case involving Oleg Roldugin, one of the newspaper’s journalists who was arrested in April.
Roldugin was detained and charged with “unlawful access to computerised information.” The state RIA news agency reported that he had pleaded not guilty, while Novaya Gazeta said that he was awaiting trial under house arrest, which had been extended until November 10.
Authorities have not provided further details about the alleged offence in the information available.
The proceedings have added to the difficulties facing the publication, which said the pressure on its senior journalists, combined with the loss of its financial resources and office, had made continued operations impossible.
Novaya Gazeta has faced serious challenges before. Six of its journalists have been murdered in different circumstances, including prominent investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, whose work focused on sensitive political and human rights issues in Russia.
Despite these threats, the newspaper continued reporting for more than 30 years, establishing a reputation for independent coverage and investigations critical of the authorities.
Independent Journalism Under Strain
Novaya Gazeta’s closure comes amid a wider crackdown on independent media in Russia following the launch of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Since the invasion, Russian authorities have introduced sweeping censorship measures, including laws imposing lengthy prison sentences for discrediting the Russian military or spreading information officials classify as false about the armed forces.
The measures have placed significant pressure on independent journalists and news organisations, forcing many reporters into exile or prompting outlets to reduce or suspend their operations.
Novaya Gazeta scaled back its activities inside Russia after the invasion began, and authorities revoked its media licence in 2022. Moscow has also classified the newspaper as a “foreign agent”, a designation frequently applied to individuals and organisations that Russian authorities say are subject to foreign influence.
The publication’s former editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, jointly received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to safeguard freedom of expression through his work at the newspaper.
The award brought international attention to Novaya Gazeta’s reporting and its role in Russian public life, where independent media have faced growing restrictions.
The Kremlin has defended restrictions on certain information, arguing that censorship is necessary while Russia faces what it describes as an existential struggle with the West over Ukraine. Russian authorities have also accused foreign intelligence services of attempting to stir discontent within Russian society.
Novaya Gazeta’s closure adds to concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism in the country. While the newspaper has attributed its decision to sustained pressure from the authorities and the loss of resources, its announcement also highlights the practical challenges facing media organisations attempting to operate independently under increasingly restrictive conditions.
After more than three decades, the newspaper says it can no longer continue its work. Its departure marks another setback for independent reporting in Russia, where journalists and news outlets continue to face legal, financial and political obstacles.
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