Novaya Gazeta, one of Russia’s most prominent independent newspapers, announced its closure on Friday, citing sustained pressure from the Russian government as the primary cause. The decision marks a significant moment in Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on dissenting media, particularly those critical of the Kremlin’s military actions in Ukraine.

The newspaper, which had maintained a reputation for rigorous investigative journalism since its founding in 1993, stated that it could no longer continue operating amid growing state repression. In a video message published on YouTube, editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said that the publication had been “killed” by Russian authorities and security services, who imposed conditions that made its work untenable.

Novaya Gazeta was among the last remaining Russian outlets openly critical of the Kremlin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Following the escalation of the conflict, Russian authorities intensified their efforts to silence independent media. The newspaper suffered the revocation of its media license, with multiple journalists and editors subjected to interrogations, detentions, and searches of their residences. Additionally, the outlet was designated a “foreign agent,” a stigmatizing label used by the government to restrict the activities of organizations seen as critical of the state, echoing tactics from the Soviet era.

The closure of Novaya Gazeta represents a significant loss for press freedom in Russia. The paper was renowned for exposing human rights abuses, including documenting alleged military misconduct during Russia’s campaigns in Chechnya. Its investigative work often came at great personal risk: several of its journalists have been murdered in apparent reprisal attacks. One of the most notable cases was Anna Politkovskaya, a reporter who spent years investigating violations by Russian forces and was assassinated in 2006.

Novaya Gazeta’s origins are tied to notable figures in Russian history, including Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, who contributed part of his Nobel Peace Prize funds to help establish the outlet. Over nearly three decades, the newspaper built a legacy as a bastion of independent journalism amid an increasingly restrictive domestic environment.

The announcement of its closure underscores the intensifying challenges facing independent media in Russia as the Kremlin tightens control over information during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.