India, Oct. 30 -- Russia's most renowned independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, on Friday announced its closure after more than three decades of operation, blaming relentless official pressure.

"They have killed us," it said in an editorial statement, announcing that it will shut its office on November 9 after publishing its final issue. "The Russian authorities and the Russian security services have forced our editorial team to cease operations." There was no immediate comment from Russian authorities.

Novaya Gazeta was launched in 1993 with assistance from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who used part of his 1990 Nobel Peace Prize to fund it. It was Russia's last major independent media outlet critical of the Kremlin after othe...