Russia detains independent outlet Novaya Gazeta editor Sergei Sokolov

The chief editor at Russia's independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Sergei Sokolov, has been detained and taken to Moscow's Investigative Committee, his newspaper said Thursday. 

Novaya Gazeta, historically a bastion of Russian independent journalism, is classed as a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities. 

Read morePolitkovskaya 'predicted' Russia's turn under Putin, editor says on 20th anniversary of her death

"Sergei Sokolov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, is being taken to the Investigative Committee following a search of his home," Novaya Gazeta said on social media. 

The newspaper said it lost touch with its editor-in-chief around noon Thursday "just before the editorial meeting he was due to chair". 

It said it knew authorities searched his home and that a lawyer was on his way to Sokolov.

Read moreMusk says Zelensky should 'go' as doubts grow over US support for Ukraine

Sokolov is a veteran editor at the newspaper, whose offices are far smaller than they were before Moscow's 2022 offensive in Ukraine.

Russia has introduced strict censorship laws since sending troops to Ukraine, with many independent journalists in exile.