Russia's last major independent newspaper shuts down citing Kremlin assault on free press

On November 9, 2026, Novaya Gazeta, Russia's leading independent investigative newspaper founded by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, closed its doors in Moscow. The paper cited relentless pressure from the Russian government as the reason for ceasing operations after holding its final editorial meeting on that day. Since February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Novaya Gazeta faced increasing censorship and was designated a "foreign agent," leading to the closure of many other independent media outlets in Russia. The newspaper's editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov, expressed hope for a future return despite current difficulties. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the significance of the shutdown, saying it reflects a standard rotation in a competitive media environment.