Indigenous organizations from across the globe have rallied to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Daria Yegereva, a Selkup woman from Tomsk who faces serious terrorism charges. Arrested on December 17, Yegereva has been accused of participating in the activities of a terrorist organization, a charge that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years. Her arrest is believed to be connected to her former affiliation with an Indigenous group that the Russian authorities have deemed as part of a non-existent anti-Russian separatist movement.

The authorities' claims against Yegereva point to her previous involvement with the group which was labeled extremist in June 2024 and ties her to the Forum of Free States of Post-Russia, designated as a terrorist organization in November 2024. This move to classify her and related Indigenous organizations as terrorists has raised serious concerns about the implications for Indigenous rights and climate advocacy in Russia, especially given the context of increasing governmental repression against dissent.

The situation has sparked outrage among Indigenous and environmental rights groups globally, reflecting broader tensions regarding governmental treatment of Indigenous movements advocating for climate justice. The potential chilling effect on activists in Russia and the uncertain fate of Yegereva highlight critical issues of free speech, political dissent, and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights in a repressive political environment.