Russian independent newspaper ceases operations. "We have been killed"

The independent Russian newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" is ceasing operations due to government pressure, as announced by editor Sergey Sokolov. He stated that after over 30 years, they are forced to shut down under constant threat of repression. The newspaper was designated as a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities in September, a move used to censor media. Dmitry Muratov, the former editor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed that they were "killed" by the government, highlighting the suppression of free speech in Russia. The closure follows intensified repression against independent media since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022.