The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office declared The Moscow Times, a Netherlands-based independent media outlet reporting on Russia, an “undesirable organisation” on Wednesday.

The work of The Moscow Times “is aimed at discrediting the decisions of the leadership of the Russian Federation in both foreign and domestic policy”, the Prosecutor General’s Office wrote, adding that the outlet “consistently works with” with other media outlets deemed “undesirable” in Russia, including Meduza, The Insider, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The “undesirable” label bans The Moscow Times, which was deemed a “foreign agent” in November 2023, from operating in Russia and puts anyone cooperating with the outlet at risk of criminal prosecution.

Founded in 1992, The Moscow Times first operated as a print newspaper for English-language expats in the Russian capital, covering the country’s political and social life. In 2017, the print edition was ended and the publication moved entirely online.

Forced to leave Russia amid the Kremlin’s crackdown on independent media after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, The Moscow Times has been based in Amsterdam since 2023.

This story is being updated.