Russia’s Novaya Gazeta ‘killed off’ after murders, arrests and pressure
Russia's most prominent investigative newspaper is closing, with staff accusing the government of succeeding in finally killing it off after decades of pressure.
The newspaper announced its closure on October 31, 2026, citing relentless government pressure that has intensified over the years. Staff members have accused authorities of systematically targeting the publication until it could no longer operate.
Novaya Gazeta has faced numerous challenges since its founding, including the murders of six journalists. The most high-profile case was that of Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed 20 years ago this month while investigating human rights abuses in Chechnya.
Decades of pressure
The closure comes amid an increasingly hostile environment for independent media in Russia, where many critical outlets have been forced to shut down or face legal troubles. Novaya Gazeta was one of the last remaining voices critical of the government.
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