Russia's top independent newspaper closes its office after three decades, citing official pressure

MOSCOW (AP) — Novaya Gazeta, Russia's most celebrated independent newspaper, closed its Moscow offices Monday, citing relentless pressure from government officials.

It was the last major independent media outlet critical of the Kremlin that remained active in Russia. Others closed or moved their operations abroad after President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

In a statement published Oct. 30, the newspaper said the Russian authorities and the security services had "forced our editorial team to cease operations.”

“Human rights and freedoms have been abolished in this country, and defending them is now treated as a crime,” the newspaper said. "Elections and elected governing bodies have been effectively dismantled, civil society institutions have been wiped out, freedom of conscience and human dignity have been trampled underfoot.”

Launched in 1993, Novaya Gazeta quickly became known for its fierce reporting and dedication to uncovering Russian human rights abuses and corruption. Six of its journalists have been killed, including Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on atrocities during the second Chechen War at the start of Putin’s first term as president. She was fatally shot in her apartment building in 2006.

On the newspaper's final day in its office Monday, journalists slowly removed the portraits of their slain colleagues from the newsroom where reporters and editors planned their work.

Tatiana Britskaya, the editor of Novaya Gazeta's investigations desk, said she had expected the outlet's closure almost every day for the past 4 1/2 years.

“It is an incredibly difficult decision, because this is more than a workplace, more than an office — this is our home, and we're losing it,” she said.

Novaya Gazeta had faced growing government pressure as the Kremlin cracked down on critics, with repression sharply intensifying after the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Longtime editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, who shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, was attacked on a train in 2022 by an assailant who poured red paint over him, causing severe irritation in his eyes. Muratov stepped down as editor in 2023 after being named a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities. The designation carries strong pejorative connotations in the country and can bring additional government scrutiny.

The newspaper was fined after it was accused of discrediting Russia’s armed forces, and it also was declared a foreign agent. Authorities blocked all of its online platforms, seized its printing house, revoked its media registration and shut down the donation system that allowed it to receive support from readers.

In a final blow, the newspaper was ordered to clear out its Moscow offices.

As reporters left the building and gathered in the street, a new sign was affixed atop the nameplate that once announced the newspaper's office. It read, “Here lived Novaya Gazeta.”

Sergei Sokolov, Novaya Gazeta's editor-in-chief, said he believed the newspaper would return one day “with renewed strength.”

“We will live, and I am sure that this country, caught in such a terrible era, will eventually stir. As soon as those first signs appear, Novaya Gazeta will return, to our readers and to our colleagues.”

Some of Novaya Gazeta’s staff left Russia in 2022 and opened a separate project, Novaya Gazeta Europe. The new outlet has been sharply critical of the Kremlin and its military action in Ukraine.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded journalist Dmitry Muratov, former editor-in-chief of the Russia's top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, right, and other members of the editorial board attend a ceremony of closing Novaya Gazeta's office in Moscow, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo)

Nobel Peace Prize awarded journalist Dmitry Muratov, former editor-in-chief of Russia's top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, left row top, and other members of the editorial board attend a ceremony of closing Novaya Gazeta's office in Moscow, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo)

Nobel Peace Prize awarded journalist Dmitry Muratov, former editor-in-chief of the Russia's top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, left row top, and other members of the editorial board attend a ceremony of closing Novaya Gazeta's office in Moscow, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo)

Nobel Peace Prize awarded journalist Dmitry Muratov, former editor-in-chief of the Russia's top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, left, speaks with a colleague during a ceremony of closing Novaya Gazeta's office in Moscow, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo)

Flowers are attached to a nameplate of the Russia's top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta during a ceremony of closing Novaya Gazeta's office in Moscow, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Leon Draisaitl scored twice, Connor McDavid also had a goal and the Edmonton Oilers held off the New York Rangers 3-1 on Monday night to sweep their season series.

Devon Levi made 28 saves in improving to 8-1-0 for the Oilers (13-3-3), who won 4-1 in New York on Nov. 1.

Jaroslav Chmelar scored a short-handed goal for the Rangers (10-8-1), who had won three straight games. Dylan Garand stopped 17 shots, but gave away the puck to McDavid for an easy, unassisted goal that opened the scoring 6:42 into the first period.

McDavid leads the NHL with 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists). The three-time MVP became the fourth player in league history with a 19-game point streak to begin a season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Dany Heatley and Mats Sundin.

For the first time this season, however, McDavid failed to record an assist — ending his record-setting streak to start a season at 18 games.

Draisaitl scored on a snap shot at 2:59 of the second for a 2-0 lead.

Just more than two minutes later, the Rangers killed off a brief 5-on-3 Edmonton power play and Mika Zibanejad sprung Chmelar on a breakaway as he exited the penalty box. Chmelar beat Levi for his second goal of the season.

New York pulled Garand for an extra skater late in the third and drew a penalty that produced a 6-on-4 advantage. Draisaitl picked off a soft backpass and lofted the puck into an empty net from his own zone for his NHL-best 18th goal.

That extended his goal-scoring streak to four games and his point streak to six.

Edmonton is 11-0-2 when scoring first. The Rangers are 0-7-1 when allowing the first goal, making them the only team in the league without a win after falling behind at the outset.

Rangers: Visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Oilers: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid, second from front left, celebrates after a goal against the New York Rangers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Devon Levi (27) makes a save against New York Rangers' Tye Kartye (24) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Ekholm (14) fights against New York Rangers' Tye Kartye (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) and Connor McDavid (97) celebrate after Draisaitl's goal against the New York Rangers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ty Emberson (49) hits New York Rangers' Noah Laba (42) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)