At the Moscow offices of independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, the atmosphere is quiet and almost deserted. The once-busy newsroom now stands largely empty, reflecting the immense pressure faced by independent journalism in Russia.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, former Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov says, “There is no newspaper anymore.” Muratov co-founded the publication more than three decades ago, helping establish it as one of Russia’s most prominent independent newspapers. Its journalists became known for investigating corruption, human rights abuses and political wrongdoing.
In 2021, Muratov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly for his efforts to protect freedom of expression. The Nobel Committee highlighted the courage of Novaya Gazeta journalists, several of whom were killed, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya.
Despite the international recognition, the newspaper was unable to escape increasing pressure from the Russian authorities. According to Muratov, its printing operations were taken over and its registration was eventually revoked. Although Novaya Gazeta maintains an online presence, access to its website inside Russia has been restricted.
The situation is part of a much wider crackdown on independent voices that intensified following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Muratov says hundreds of people have been labelled “foreign agents,” “extremists” or “terrorists,” while many others have been imprisoned for criticizing government policy.
A War With No Clear Victory
Russia's invasion, initially presented by the Kremlin as a short military operation, has developed into one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts since the Second World War.
Despite President Vladimir Putin continuing to speak confidently about a Russian victory, Muratov strongly rejects the idea that the war can ultimately produce a meaningful victory.
He argues that the scale of destruction and loss of life means that neither side can simply describe the outcome as a triumph. In his view, the conflict has caused enormous suffering among two closely connected populations and has already fundamentally changed both countries.
Muratov also warns about the continued escalation of nuclear rhetoric surrounding the conflict. He says discussions about the possible use of nuclear weapons have become increasingly common, including on Russian state television and at major state-sponsored events.
However, he stresses that nobody outside Putin's inner circle can know exactly what the Russian president is thinking.
Questions About Russia's Security
When Putin launched the invasion in February 2022, he said the operation was necessary to protect Russia's security.
Muratov questions whether that objective has actually been achieved. He points to Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia, disruptions to infrastructure and communications, economic difficulties and the imprisonment of political opponents as evidence that the country's security situation has not necessarily improved.
Despite reports of growing dissatisfaction within parts of Russian society and the political elite, Muratov believes Putin remains firmly in control.
He says speculation about secret conspiracies or an imminent split within the Russian leadership should be treated cautiously. In his assessment, fear remains an important factor in maintaining the Kremlin's authority, with Russia's security services playing a central role.
Criticism of Both Russia and the West
Muratov is highly critical of the Kremlin, but he also has strong reservations about Western governments.
He argues that European leaders have previously spoken to Putin about human rights and democratic values while simultaneously maintaining important economic relationships with Russia, particularly in areas such as energy and trade.
According to Muratov, this contradiction weakened the credibility of Western criticism in Putin's eyes.
The journalist himself has been designated a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities. The classification can impose significant restrictions and is also intended to stigmatize individuals viewed as hostile to the government.
Yet Muratov says his personal situation is not his primary concern.
Remembering Russia's Political Prisoners
During the interview, Muratov focuses instead on Russians who have been imprisoned after speaking out against the war or the government.
He shows photographs of several prisoners, including journalists Antonina Favorskaya, Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin and Artyom Kriger, who were convicted on extremism-related charges.
He also highlights the case of Alexei Gorinov, a local politician imprisoned after criticizing Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
Another photograph is of pianist Pavel Kushnir, whom Muratov describes as an exceptional performer of Rachmaninoff and Schubert. Kushnir was arrested after publishing anti-war material and later died in a detention centre while on hunger strike. He was 39.
Muratov's collection of photographs serves as a stark reminder of the personal consequences faced by people who publicly challenge the Russian authorities.
A Nobel Prize Does Not Guarantee Protection
When asked whether winning the Nobel Peace Prize provides him with protection or greater freedom to speak, Muratov gives a blunt response.
He suggests that this question should be directed toward the authorities themselves.
For Muratov, the larger issue is not his own status but the fate of those who remain imprisoned for opposing the war.
His message is clear: regardless of how the conflict eventually ends, the enormous human cost, destruction and political repression surrounding the war make it difficult to describe the outcome simply as a victory.
For a journalist who spent decades defending independent reporting in Russia, the empty offices of Novaya Gazeta are more than a symbol of one newspaper's decline. They represent the shrinking space for independent journalism and public dissent in the country.
