Dmitry Muratov, Russian Journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, has auctioned off his Nobel Peace Prize medal for a record $103.5m to help Ukrainian children displaced by the war and he will give the money to the UNICEF humanitarian response, reported Aljazeera.
The gold medal was sold at an auction in New York, which was organized by Heritage Auctions.
Mr Muratov is known as a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government, he shares this prize with Maria Ressa of the Philippines.
Russia’s liberal media outlets have been under continuous pressure since Putin first became leader in 1999, however, the crackdown on free press intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Earlier in March, his newspaper suspended operations in Russia after warnings from the state over its coverage of the war in Ukraine.
The following month, the prominent journalist was attacked on a train when unidentified assailants threw oil-based paint mixed with acetone on him, causing his eyes to burn.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claiming that Russia plans a renewed annexation on Kharkiv after withdrawing its forces from the city in mid-May.
According to Ukraine officials, 568 civilians, including 38 children, remain in the bomb shelters of the city’s Azot chemical plant and they refuse to evacuate, moreover, more than 1,500 Ukrainian civilians are detained in Russian prisons.
However, Russia says a referendum will be held this autumn in the Kherson region for joining Russia.
