Russian newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov has been awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize along with Filipino American journalist Maria Ressa.

Ressa is the CEO of Rappler, a news outlet critical of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's regime, while Muratov heads the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Both have faced legal and physical threats during their careers as their respective governments cracked down on the rights of journalists.

Six staff members at the Novaya Gazeta have been killed since Muratov co-founded the outlet in 1993, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He has served as the paper's editor-in-chief since 1995.

Reacting to his win, Muratov said the prize is a testament to the newspaper's dedication to free speech and his colleagues who have died fighting for it, Russian state media TASS reported.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, second from left, meets with Muratov, right, and other Novaya Gazeta journalists in Moscow in October 2006.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, second from left, meets with Muratov, right, and other Novaya Gazeta journalists in Moscow in October 2006.
Sergei Kuznetsov/AFP/Getty Images
Muratov and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attend a presentation of slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya's book "Why" at the Gorbachev Foundation in Moscow in May 2007.
Muratov and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attend a presentation of slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya's book "Why" at the Gorbachev Foundation in Moscow in May 2007.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
In January 2009, Muratov pays his last respects to journalist Anastasia Baburova, who was shot dead alongside human-rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov.
In January 2009, Muratov pays his last respects to journalist Anastasia Baburova, who was shot dead alongside human-rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov.
Misha Japaridze/AP
From left, Novaya Gazeta deputy editor Andrei Lipsky; Muratov; political analyst Yulia Latynina; prominent commentator and radio show host Yevgenia Albats; and Georgy Satarov, the head of the INDEM think tank and a former Kremlin insider, are seen before meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Moscow in October 2009.
From left, Novaya Gazeta deputy editor Andrei Lipsky; Muratov; political analyst Yulia Latynina; prominent commentator and radio show host Yevgenia Albats; and Georgy Satarov, the head of the INDEM think tank and a former Kremlin insider, are seen before meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Moscow in October 2009.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Novaya Gazeta's staff participates in their morning editorial meeting with Muratov, seen in the foreground, in January 2009.
Novaya Gazeta's staff participates in their morning editorial meeting with Muratov, seen in the foreground, in January 2009.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Muratov joins protesters carrying signs of slain Russian lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova during a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Berlin in January 2009.
Muratov joins protesters carrying signs of slain Russian lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova during a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Berlin in January 2009.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Muratov informs a parliamentary group in Berlin about the situation in Russia in January 2009.
Muratov informs a parliamentary group in Berlin about the situation in Russia in January 2009.
Rainer Jensen/picture alliance/Getty Images
Muratov attends a planning meeting with the Novaya Gazeta editorial board in October 2015.
Muratov attends a planning meeting with the Novaya Gazeta editorial board in October 2015.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Muratov attends an event in memory of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, pictured on the top right, outside the Novaya Gazeta offices in October 2016.
Muratov attends an event in memory of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, pictured on the top right, outside the Novaya Gazeta offices in October 2016.
Alexander Shcherbak/TASS/Getty Images
Muratov is seen during the election for Novaya Gazeta's editor-in-chief in November 2017.
Muratov is seen during the election for Novaya Gazeta's editor-in-chief in November 2017.
Viktoria Odissonova/TASS/Getty Images
Muratov and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attend a film premiere in Moscow in November 2018.
Muratov and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attend a film premiere in Moscow in November 2018.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Muratov and Alexei Venediktov, editor-in-chief of the Echo of Moscow radio station, speak to supporters of Ivan Golunov, a journalist who worked for the independent website Meduza, at a court building in Moscow in June 2019.
Muratov and Alexei Venediktov, editor-in-chief of the Echo of Moscow radio station, speak to supporters of Ivan Golunov, a journalist who worked for the independent website Meduza, at a court building in Moscow in June 2019.
Dmitry Serebryakov/AP
Muratov attends an event to commemorate slain reporter Anna Politkovskaya outside the Novaya Gazeta office in Moscow in October 2021.
Muratov attends an event to commemorate slain reporter Anna Politkovskaya outside the Novaya Gazeta office in Moscow in October 2021.
Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images
Colleagues pour champagne on Muratov at the Novaya Gazeta office after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2021.
Colleagues pour champagne on Muratov at the Novaya Gazeta office after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2021.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Muratov speaks during the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in December 2021.
Muratov speaks during the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in December 2021.
Sergei Bobylev/TASS/Getty Images