OSLO — The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday to imprisoned democracy advocates from Russia and Belarus, citing their defence of human rights and civil society under authoritarian rule. The announcement was made at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo.

Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said the laureates represented the millions resisting repression across the former Soviet space. The decision continued a recent pattern of recognising dissidents and press-freedom figures, following awards to Memorial, Ales Bialiatski and Dmitry Muratov in previous years.

The prize arrives as tensions between the West and Moscow remain acute. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump played down fears that the death of a scientist at a Russian plague laboratory signalled a bioweapon risk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe from Athens to build stronger Western power against authoritarian states.

Russian foreign ministry officials dismissed the award as politicised, saying the committee had again shown it served Western political aims rather than peace. European Union figures and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, welcomed the choice and renewed calls for the laureates' release.

The laureates will share the prize of 11 million Swedish kronor, to be presented at a ceremony in Oslo City Hall on December 10. Family members are expected to accept on behalf of those still imprisoned.