Who speaks for Russia’s Indigenous peoples?

A new investigation alleging that Russia has replaced independent Indigenous voices with state-aligned representatives at international forums was the dominant theme of a recent online briefing hosted by NGO Arctida, the Batani Foundation and the Indigenous Institute.

The briefing moderated by Dimitry Valuev, President of Russian America for Democracy in Russia, introduced three new research publications. These examined the shrinking space for Indigenous advocacy in Russia alongside the prosecution of Indigenous activists, Indigenous rights in Arctic development projects, and the changing role of Indigenous organizations.

Since 2022, pressure has intensified

According to presenters, Indigenous peoples and activists in Russia have faced increased pressure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This has taken the form of intimidation, criminal prosecutions, pressure on relatives, restrictions on international advocacy and the gradual dismantling of independent Indigenous organizations.

This was demonstrated by the arrest of Daria Egereva, a human rights defender and climate activist, in Moscow in December 2025. Egereva represented Russia’s Indigenous peoples at the COP30 UN climate conference last November. She stands accused of involvement in the Aborigen Forum, a peaceful expert network that the Russian authorities have designated a terrorist organization.

On the day of Egereva’s arrest, at least 17 coordinated FSB raids were carried out across nine regions that also led to the arrest of human rights defender Natalia Leonhardt. Olga Podoplelova, a defence lawyer on the case, described it as “the largest criminal case ever opened against Indigenous rights defenders and activists in modern Russia.” Both women are still in detention facing terrorism charges.

What does this mean on the ground in Russia?

Beyond questions of international representation, the briefing also examined the practical consequences around Indigenous rights in Arctic development projects. Lana Pylaeva, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Consultant at Arctida, presented research into six major Arctic infrastructure projects. She argued that consultation with Indigenous communities remains weak and that the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent is not being meaningfully implemented in industrial projects ranging from Yamal LNG and Vostok Oil to the Baimskaya mining project and Port Lavna. In her remarks, Pylaeva also highlighted their potential impacts on traditional livelihoods like reindeer herding, fishing and hunting.

Aivana Enminkau outlined a separate report examining what the authors describe as Russia’s system of “managed Indigenous representation.” They argue that organisations such as RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North) are becoming a de facto arm of the Kremlin, and more a mouthpiece for state interests than a champion of Indigenous communities.

“Representation should be independent and accountable to Indigenous communities themselves,” Enminkau said. Her concern was echoed during the discussion by one Indigenous participant, who said some of these state-backed representatives “don’t even know their languages” and are “disconnected from the communities.”

Why is this pressure intensifying now?

“The logic of repression in any country goes exactly in this direction,” she said.