Muratov warns Putin cannot claim victory as nuclear rhetoric escalates
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Dmitry Muratov argues that while Russia retains the capacity to destroy Ukraine, it cannot conquer it, citing over 500 mentions of nuclear weapon use this year alone.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov has declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin can no longer claim victory in the war in Ukraine, which has now lasted nearly five years. Speaking to the BBC, the former chief editor of Novaya Gazeta argued that while Russia retains the capacity to destroy Ukraine, it cannot conquer it, and he has warned of escalating nuclear rhetoric. Muratov noted that since the beginning of the year, the need to use nuclear weapons has been mentioned more than 500 times, including discussions on state television and at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The situation for independent journalism in Russia has deteriorated significantly, with Muratov describing the current atmosphere at Novaya Gazeta’s Moscow offices as silent and empty. The Kremlin has nationalised the newspaper’s printing presses and revoked its registration, while the website is blocked within Russia and accessible only via virtual private networks or from abroad. Muratov auctioned his Nobel Prize medal to support UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts for Ukrainian refugees, underscoring the organisation's effective halt within the country.
Muratov highlighted a severe crackdown on free speech, noting that at least 1,500 people have been imprisoned for speaking out against the war since the 2022 invasion. He stated that this figure is three times higher than during the KGB era in the USSR, with many opinion leaders designated as foreign agents, extremists, or terrorists. Among those imprisoned are journalists Antonina Favorskaya, Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, who were jailed for five and a half years on extremism charges.
The journalist also expressed concern for other political prisoners, including city councillor Alexei Gorinov and pianist Pavel Kushnir, who died in pre-trial detention during a hunger strike. Muratov pointed to the plight of these individuals as evidence of the risks associated with public criticism of the authorities. He noted that Novaya Gazeta’s managing editor, Oleg Roldugin, is currently under house arrest following police searches of the office.
Despite falling domestic approval ratings, Muratov believes Putin retains a tight grip on power, reinforced by fear within the Federal Security Service and the elite. He dismissed the notion that Western leaders prioritise European principles over trade agreements with Russia, stating that Putin laughs at such values given the ongoing commercial ties. Muratov argued that the war has not increased Russia’s security, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on domestic infrastructure and internal disruptions as proof of the conflict’s destabilising effects.
