Dmitry Muratov, one of two journalists who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, was attacked with paint while travelling from Moscow to Samara on Thursday.
Novaya Gazeta, of which Muratov is editor in-chief, tweeted about the incident on Thursday night. Pictures shared by the outlet showed Muratov with red paint on his head and clothes.
Reports said a single attacker targeted Muratov.
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“They poured oil paint with acetone all over the compartment. Eyes burning badly,” Novaya Gazeta quoted Muratov as saying.
Kirill Martynov, the editor in-chief of the Europe edition of Novaya Gazeta, tweeted that the attack may have damaged Muratov's eyesight. He added Muratov had received first aid.
Reports said the attacker had proclaimed “Muratov, this is for you from our boys”. The reference appeared to be related to Novaya Gazeta's critical coverage of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
The Novaya Gazeta Europe edition tweeted late on Thursday a little-known Telegram channel, Soyuz Z paratroopers, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Novaya Gazeta had announced last week it was suspending its online and print publications until the Russian operation in Ukraine ended. The announcement came after it received a second warning from the state communications regulator.
