Terror against Indigenous Peoples: Russia's Repression of its Own People

On December 17, 2025, coordinated raids were conducted in the homes of indigenous activists across Russia. The operation was carefully timed so that activists could neither alert one another nor coordinate a collective response. Law enforcement teams spent hours searching residences, interrogating individuals, seizing computers, mobile phones, and documents, and threatening to return for further action. The designation of these activists as “terrorists” by the Russian state has roots spanning decades. Indigenous communities in Russia have long been subject to systemic marginalization and repression, often framed as threats to national security or public order. This narrative has been used repeatedly to justify state intervention against their cultural practices, land rights, and political activism. The term “indigenous small peoples of the Russian North” refers to 47 recognized ethnic groups, each with fewer than 50,000 members. These groups primarily reside in Siberia and northern and eastern regions of Russia, constituting a small fraction of local populations. According to Russian law, these communities are entitled to special rights over their lands and natural resources, along with legal protections for their cultures and languages. One such group is the Tchulym, who live along the Tchulym River in southern Siberia. Their population numbers just 382, with only ten individuals still fluent in their native language. Another example is the Russian Sámi, who inhabit the Kola Peninsula and number approximately 1,390. For centuries, these communities have relied on fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding. Their relationship with the land has shaped not only their livelihoods but also their identities, languages, and worldviews, with each community preserving its unique traditions. These territories are central to Russia’s economy. Approximately 85 percent of the country’s natural gas reserves and a significant portion of its oil deposits lie within areas traditionally inhabited by indigenous peoples. Conflicts over mining and resource extraction have frequently turned into disputes over indigenous rights. Climate change has intensified this pressure. Permafrost in the Russian north has warmed by up to two degrees Celsius over the past three decades, disrupting the stability of the ground that supports reindeer herders, hunters, and fishermen in planning safe travel routes and hunting grounds. Indigenous knowledge systems have historically played a crucial role in sustaining these communities. However, during the Soviet era, state education policies actively suppressed indigenous languages and cultures. Across the Soviet Union, indigenous children were regularly sent to boarding schools far from their families, where Russian was the sole medium of instruction. Indigenous languages were viewed as obstacles to integration, leading to widespread linguistic and cultural erosion. Today, many indigenous groups continue to face challenges in maintaining their heritage while navigating modern economic pressures and environmental changes. The recent raids represent yet another instance of state-sanctioned suppression, reinforcing historical patterns of control and marginalization. As climate conditions worsen and resource demands grow, tensions between indigenous communities and the state are likely to persist, raising urgent questions about the future of these culturally rich and ecologically vital regions.