Russian authorities add Novaya Gazeta to ‘foreign agents’ registry

The Russian Justice Ministry has designated the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta a “foreign agent”, according to a new post on the ministry’s website.

According to the Justice Ministry, Novaya Gazeta disseminated false information about decisions by the Russian authorities, government policy, and the electoral system. The ministry also said the newspaper had spoken out against the war in Ukraine, published material by “foreign agents”, and collaborated with them.

More than 100 people were listed by the ministry as “participants” in Novaya Gazeta’s work. They include journalist Elena Milashina, former editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, Yabloko party chairman Nikolai Rybakov, politician Lev Shlosberg, and others.

Most of the restrictions imposed on “foreign agents” do not apply to “participants”. However, they are required to label posts related to the activities of the “foreign agent” organisation, and they may be held liable for violations committed by said organisation.

In practice, “participants” can also face administrative penalties for failing to label posts that have nothing to do with the activities of the “foreign agent”.

Novaya Gazeta was founded in 1993. In 2021, its then editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Filipino journalist Maria Ressa for their work to defend freedom of expression.

In 2023, Muratov was added to Russia’s “foreign agents” registry as an individual. He subsequently stepped down as editor-in-chief, and Sergey Sokolov took over as the publication’s new head.

In April 2026, police conducted a 13-hour search of Novaya Gazeta’s Moscow office. Following the raid, columnist Oleg Roldugin was charged with “illegally accessing computer information” as part of a group and placed in pre-trial detention.