Russia Adds Novaya Gazeta and 3 Individuals to Foreign Agents Registry

On September 4, 2026, Russia's Ministry of Justice added the internet publication 'Novaya Gazeta', the journal 'Istoriya Ekspertiza', and three individuals—Sergei Leibgrad, Felix Sandalov, and Tatyana Tatarinova—to the registry of foreign agents. The move followed allegations that they disseminated false information about Russian policies, opposed the special military operation in Ukraine, and collaborated with foreign agents.

Consensus

The Ministry of Justice of Russia added 'Novaya Gazeta' to the registry of foreign agents on September 4, 2026.
The journal 'Istoriya Ekspertiza' was added to the registry of foreign agents.
Sergei Leibgrad, Felix Sandaloy, and Tatyana Tatarinova were added to the registry of foreign agents.
All individuals and organizations added are alleged to have disseminated false information about Russian authorities and policies.
All individuals and organizations are alleged to have opposed the special military operation in Ukraine.
All individuals and organizations are alleged to have participated in the dissemination of materials from foreign agents.
All individuals and organizations are required to mark their materials with a foreign agent label and report financial inflows.
The individuals listed reside outside Russia.
The leadership of 'Istoriya Ekspertiza' is said to be based abroad.
The Ministry of Justice published the decision on its official website.
The publication 'Novaya Gazeta' continues to operate and intends to challenge its status.
The re-registration of 'Novaya Gazeta' follows prior actions against it, including the blocking of its website and the revocation of its media license.

Points of divergence

The Ministry of Justice included over 100 individuals affiliated with 'Novaya Gazeta' in the registry. — kommersant
The list of affiliated individuals does not subject them to most foreign agent restrictions, but they must label posts related to the organization and may face liability for its violations. — novaya_eu
The Ministry of Justice stated that 'Novaya Gazeta' and Sergey Leibgrad spread false information about Russia's electoral system. — kommersant
In April 2026, 13-hour searches were conducted at the 'Novaya Gazeta' office, leading to criminal charges against journalist Oleg Roldugin for using bots with leaked personal data. — novaya_eu
The material includes archived content from the Republic project, suggesting that 'Novaya Gazeta' is linked to or produced by the Republic project. — tg_republicmag
'Novaya Gazeta' suspended its work on March 28, 2022, due to warnings from Roskomnadzor over failure to label NGO foreign agent content. — interfax
'Novaya Gazeta' has continued to comply with military censorship rules, and its editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, resigned after being added to the foreign agent list in 2023. — tg_istories_media
Felix Sandalov is a former editor-in-chief of Individuum and co-founder of the StraightForward foundation, which was declared undesirable by the Prosecutor General's Office in July. — kommersant

Coverage (8 sources)

Ministry of Justice included "New Gazette" and "Historical Expertise" in the registry of foreign agents — РИАМО
Ministry of Justice declared "New Newspaper" a foreign agent — Коммерсантъ
Ministry of Justice declared "New Newspaper" an agent of foreign influence — The Bell
Ministry of Justice added "New Newspaper" to the registry of "foreign agents". — Republic
«New Newspaper» added to the registry of «foreign agents» — Новая газета Европа
Russian Ministry of Justice added internet publication "New Gazette" to the list of foreign agents — Интерфакс
Newspaper — Важные истории
Internet publication "New Times" added to the registry of foreign agents, said the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. — ТАСС (Telegram)

Russia Adds Novaya Gazeta and 3 Individuals to Foreign Agents Registry

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (8 sources)

Key entities

More on Tatyana Tatarinova

More on Sergey Leibgrad

More on Felix Sandalov