Natalya Zubkova, the editor of the Novosty Kiselyovska (‘the news of Kiselyovsk, Kemerovo Oblast’) Website, who left Russia after being attacked and threatened, has announced the media outlet’s closure. She explained that she had decided to do that for the sake of her family's safety and the possibility of implementing other projects.
"Thanks to the representatives of the authorities, thanks to law enforcement agencies, the actions and inaction of the Prosecutor's Office, the Investigating Committee, and all the "well-wishers", our website no longer exists," Natalya Zubkova said in a video published on the site. "This project is morally outdated, it is no longer relevant. Residents of Kiselyovsk do not need any free media outlet. Residents of Kiselyovsk do not need people who tell them what is really happening in the city. People, apparently, are not mature enough to use truthful information."
The journalist added that she was going to work on other, "larger-scale" projects, focused on Russia’s environmental issues, rather than local news.
Natalya Zubkova left Kiselyovsk in February 2021 after being attacked by an unknown man, who, according to her, made “physical threats” against her daughters if she "ever opened her mouth again." When she left, an investigator visited Zubkova's rented apartment in Yekaterinburg, although she did not publicly disclose her whereabouts. Natalya left Russia thereafter, but said that she would continue to cover the problems of Kemerovo Oblast: "black" realtors, ecology, and violation of the indigenous peoples', Shors' and Khakas', rights.
