Dmitry Muratov reports shutdown of Novaya Gazeta amid Russian media crackdown

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Novaya Gazeta co-founder Dmitry Muratov reports that the independent Russian newspaper has effectively ceased to exist. Following a government decree, the publication's registration was revoked and its printing presses were nationalized. While a digital presence remains, the authorities have blocked access to its website within Russia, requiring VPNs for access.

Muratov highlighted a significant escalation in the crackdown on free speech since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He estimated that at least 1,500 people are currently imprisoned for speaking out against state policy, a figure he noted is significantly higher than the number of political prisoners identified during the Soviet era. Many prominent opinion leaders have also been designated as ‘foreign agents’, ‘extremists’, or ‘terrorists’.

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Muratov stated that Putin can no longer claim victory, asserting that ‘there will never be a victory’ given the nature of the ongoing war. He also expressed concern over the increasing frequency of rhetoric involving the potential use of nuclear weapons.