Novaya Gazeta announced it was shutting down under pressure from Russian authorities
Novaya Gazeta announced Friday it was closing amid pressure from Russian authorities. Moscow police opened criminal proceedings in spring 2026; Russia’s Justice Ministry designated the paper a “foreign agent” Sept. 4, and its landlord terminated its lease Oct. 29. Deutsche Welle reported a recent search of a senior editor’s home. The Washington Examiner called it Russia’s last major independent newspaper.
More context
Novaya Gazeta announced Friday that it was shutting down, saying pressure from Russian authorities had forced it to close. The Washington Examiner described it as Russia’s last major independent newspaper; Politico called it one of the country’s oldest independent media outlets, operating for more than 30 years. Politico reported that pressure intensified after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow police initiated criminal proceedings against the paper in spring 2026 over alleged “illegal use of personal data,” and the Justice Ministry designated it a “foreign agent” on Sept. 4. On Oct. 29, the paper’s landlord announced termination of the lease on the office it had occupied for 33 years. Deutsche Welle reported that authorities recently searched the home of a senior editor. In an editorial, the paper said its closure reflected Russia under Vladimir Putin.
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Reporting
- Politico — 'We have been killed': Russian independent outlet Novaya Gazeta shuts down - POLITICO
- Deutsche Welle — Russia: Critical newspaper 'Novaya Gazeta' to close
- Washington Examiner — Russia shuts down last independent newspaper
Verifier’s note
Politico and Deutsche Welle report that Novaya Gazeta is shutting down under pressure from Russian authorities, and Washington Examiner also reports its closure after the newspaper was evicted from its office. All three describe the same event on October 30, 2026.