June 28, 2023

Undesirable News


Undesirable News
Photo of a printing machine. Bank Phrom, Unsplash.

The Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation has officially declared that Novaya Gazeta Europe, a Russian newspaper recognized for its independent and incisive reporting on political and social matters in Russia, is now an "undesirable" organization.

This declaration comes as a result of the Prosecutor General's Office's assessment, which it said highlights the publication's activities as a potential menace to both the fundamental pillars of Russia's constitutional framework and the overall security of the nation.

“The specified organization," the office declared, "carries out activities to create and distribute tendentious information materials to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation.”

The press service of the Prosecutor General's Office said that the decision to deem Novaya Gazeta Europe "undesirable" stems from the central subjects covered in the newspaper's articles, including “false information about alleged massive violations of the rights and freedoms of citizens in Russia, accusations of [Russia] unleashing an aggressive war in Ukraine, committing war crimes against civilians, [and] repressions.”

The agency additionally said that Novaya Gazeta Europe disseminates content from organizations considered "extremist" and "undesirable," such as FBK, The Insider, and Bellingcat.

Under Russian law, "undesirable organizations":

  • are forbidden from holding public events and from possessing or distributing promotional materials, including via mass media;
  • cannot have accounts in Russian banks or financial institutions, as the latter are forbidden from cooperating with them and are required to inform Russia's financial watchdog agency about all those that attempt to use them;
  • must disband if they are in Russia and given notice by prosecutors. Violators can face fines or prison terms of up to six years.
  • are a threat to any Russian citizen "cooperating with" such entities;
    • such cooperators are subject to fines, can be banned from entering Russia, and can face a maximum of six years in prison.

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Novaya Gazeta halted publication in response to heightened government censorship. The following month, Novaya Gazeta Europe, a European edition of the newspaper, was established in Riga to evade censorship. However, its website was blocked in Russia by the end of that month.

You Might Also Like

Greenpeace Declared
  • May 21, 2023

Greenpeace Declared "Undesirable"

The Russian General Procurator announced Greenpeace has been declared an "undesirable organization," banning it in Russia.
Too Free for Russia
  • April 03, 2023

Too Free for Russia

The Russian Prosecutor General's office has declared the Free University "undesirable."
  • March 11, 2023

"Transparency" Is Undesirable

The Russian Prosecutor General’s office declared the anti-corruption NGO Transparency International an "undesirable" organization.
Meduza Declared Undesirable
  • January 27, 2023

Meduza Declared Undesirable

On January 26, Russia’s Prosecutor General declared the popular publication Meduza an “undesirable” organization.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
Chekhov Bilingual

Chekhov Bilingual

Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 
Tolstoy Bilingual

Tolstoy Bilingual

This compact, yet surprisingly broad look at the life and work of Tolstoy spans from one of his earliest stories to one of his last, looking at works that made him famous and others that made him notorious. 
A Taste of Chekhov

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955