Can climate activism survive in Russia? A conversation with Arshak Makichyan

Arshak Makichyan’s personal story is closely tied to the events that have unfolded in Russia over the past five years: a period marked by unrest, global crises, and growing domestic repression. After he spoke out against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he was deprived of his citizenship by the Russian authorities, and he now lives in exile. I reached out to him to gain more insights on the current state of climate activism in Russia and its possible future survival strategies.

Building a grassroots movement in Russia has never been easy. Political repression and societal apathy made climate activism nearly impossible. Yet, in 2019, inspired by Greta Thunberg, Makichyan began solo climate strikes, attracting media attention and fostering a grassroots movement. 

“In countries like Russia, the climate crisis was not taken very seriously, but when you are getting repressed for something, then it's getting a lot more attention and trust.”

Against the odds, FFF Russia gained traction by leveraging social media and international solidarity, proving that activism could thrive even under authoritarianism. By 2020, FFF Russia had gained substantial visibility and credibility, navigating through both top-down restrictions and bottom-up reluctance in a rather surprising way. What came next, however, would catch everyone unprepared. 

In Russia, the last five years have been characterized by an increasingly tighter authoritarian grip.  First, the COVID-19 pandemic made activism nearly impossible. Then, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, peaceful protest was outlawed entirely. Many activists, including Makichyan, were forced into exile. 

When asked about the state of the movement today, Makichyan didn't sound too optimistic. 

I would say that it's not a movement anymore. The priorities have changed, Russia is waging this terrible war, and people are worried about other things.

Despite the bleak outlook, three potential avenues for survival remain: social media activism, localized struggles, and mobilization opportunities.

Social Media Activism

Exiled activists continue to spread awareness and challenge regime narratives online. While not enough on its own, digital platforms remain crucial for coordination and advocacy. As Makychyan puts it, however, doing something “on the streets” remains fundamental, especially in the current status of profound divisions among the Russian opposition diaspora.

Localized Environmental Struggles

Russian citizens tend to mobilize around local ecological issues, particularly in indigenous and peripheral regions affected by resource extraction. This aspect, mostly “ignored by the Russian civil society and the international institutions,” could fuel broader activism in the future.

Political Mobilization Opportunities 

As Putin’s regime pushes for deeper societal engagement to support the war effort, a new political consciousness may emerge. Activists must be ready to channel this energy toward environmental causes. Were such opportunities to emerge, activists shouldn’t hesitate to act, redirecting renewed efficacy towards concrete environmental and climate goals. In doing so, such an agenda should be linked to and negotiated with broader social and political goals, to effectively engage with civil society more widely.

While FFF Russia as a movement has been crushed, its legacy endures. The fight for climate justice in Russia is far from over—it is simply searching for its next form. Social media, domestic ethnic struggles, and reckless mobilizational efforts offer the potential to do so. To dive deeper into the current challenges and opportunities for Russian climate activism, read my reflection on the full conversation with Arshak Makichyan.