Source: Amnesty International –
During Russia’s escalating repression following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 172 indigenous and decolonial organisations have been designated as “terrorist” by the Russian authorities.
Amnesty International spoke to three female Indigenous rights activists from Russia, currently in exile, to discuss the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on their activism, their communities and women’s leadership.
Zarema Gasanova is an Avar indigenous rights and feminist activist from Dagestan, Victoria Maladaeva is a Buryat-Mongolian activist and co-founder of the Indigenous of Russia Foundation, while Viliuia Choinova is an environmental engineer and Sakha activist from the Republic of Sakha, currently studying in Berlin.
Amnesty: How did Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine affect indigenous women in Russia?
Victoria: Even before the war, women in Russia lacked protection from domestic violence. In the republics with a significant Indigenous population, such as Yakutia, Buryatia or the republics of the North Caucasus, men have been disproportionately affected by the military draft.
In one village in Buryatia, local women raised the alarm as all the men from the village were drafted to be sent to fight in Ukraine. Now, as the drafted troops return home, there are reports of rising rates of domestic abuse and femicide.
The Free Yakutia Foundation reported numerous cases of violence against women at the hands of men returning from the war. This is just the beginning; there will likely be even more cases when tens of thousands of soldiers return home.
Viliuia: Many Indigenous families in the north, including those in my native Republic of Sakha, rely on traditional subsistence activities such as reindeer herding, fishing, and farming. With men drafted en masse to fight Ukraine, women are left to take on physically demanding tasks that were traditionally shared or primarily carried out by men. This has significantly increased their workload and made survival more difficult, especially in regions with poor infrastructure and harsh climates.
The war has also disrupted the ability to maintain traditional cultural practices, which require generational knowledge often carried by men, risking the loss of cultural continuity. With Indigenous populations already declining due to high mortality rates and low birth rates, the disproportionate drafting of Indigenous men further exacerbates this issue, threatening the long-term survival of Indigenous peoples.
Zarema: While men are disproportionately drafted to the army, women are left to bear the brunt of resistance. When Vladimir Putin announced military mobilization in September 2022, large numbers of women in Dagestan came out to the streets to protest it. They confronted officials, reminding them that it’s not Ukraine that invaded Russia, formed barricades to block police cars and tried to liberate those arrested by the police. During the protest dispersals, police were particularly violent towards women – they pushed, beat, dragged and verbally abused them.
Victoria: Indeed, it is women who hide their husbands and relatives from mobilization. Almost all requests for help I receive are from women searching for ways to keep their sons, husbands, or fathers from being sent to war. It is Indigenous women who write letters, reach out to human rights organizations, and fight for their loved ones.
Amnesty: How did the full-scale invasion affect your activism?
Viliuia: Speaking out against Russia’s war in Ukraine and its colonial policies has become increasingly dangerous, with Indigenous activists facing imprisonment, exile, or violence. The recent designation of 172 Indigenous and ethnic organizations as “terrorist” has criminalized Indigenous activism, making legal operations nearly impossible and forcing many into exile or underground work.
Despite the challenges, the conflict has also created new opportunities for collaboration, as international organizations are now paying greater attention to Indigenous issues in Russia and strengthening global solidarity with other decolonial movements.
Zarema: I had to leave Russia due to the risk of persecution for my anti-war position. Now in exile, my activism has shifted towards raising awareness internationally, supporting Indigenous communities in resisting militarization, as well as creating networks of solidarity among Indigenous peoples facing similar struggles.
The full-scale invasion has made Indigenous activism more dangerous, especially in the North Caucasus. Russia’s colonial narratives have long portrayed the Caucasus as aggressive and marginalized. The government frames any activism in the region as a threat to the state and labels Indigenous activists as societal dangers, making their dissent appear more menacing.
Despite these challenges, Indigenous activists continue to speak out, drawing attention to systemic injustices and advocating for their communities.
Victoria: Since the start of the war in Ukraine, my activism became more visible, and now I frequently receive threats. Although I don’t live in Russia, I have to take safety precautions, as there are threats to get to me even here in the United States. My social media accounts are constantly under attack, and at one point, I was receiving 3-5 hacking attempt notifications on my Instagram per day.
Despite that, activism has also introduced me to courageous and honest people from different regions. We are all united by a common struggle – the fight for the survival of our peoples. We are building networks of solidarity and working on joint projects. Together, we are strong, and we are each other’s support.
Amnesty: In a country like Russia, where most influential politicians are men, many Indigenous rights groups from Russia are led by women. What is the reason for this?
Viliuia: The female leadership of the Indigenous rights movements reflects both Indigenous social structures and the colonial system. In the Republic of Sakha, societal roles between men and women have traditionally been more equal, with women often serving as matriarchs and playing central roles in decision-making, economic activities, and cultural preservation. This strong presence in both domestic and public life has translated into leadership in activism.
In my family, women have been ambitious, pursuing university degrees, owning small businesses, and even becoming auto mechanics. Meanwhile, men have continued traditional ways of life or taken on practical jobs in housing, communal services, driving, and mining. This contrast mirrors a broader reality in Indigenous communities, where women often lead in education, business, and activism, while men are drawn to physically demanding labour that keeps them away from home for long periods.
Zarema: Indigenous women have a strong tradition of resistance, driven by their responsibility to preserve language, culture, and traditions under colonial oppression. Grassroots movements like Feminist Anti-War Resistance intersect feminist and decolonial agendas, providing a space for Indigenous women to combat both gender-based and colonial oppression. The authoritarian nature of the Russian government leaves no room for Indigenous political participation, forcing women to turn to grassroots activism.
Zarema: There are multiple ways to support us. People from outside Russia can help amplify our voices by sharing our stories and perspectives. International media can help us challenge Russian propaganda and the Kremlin’s narratives that use Indigenous peoples as symbols of loyalty to the state. International organisations can help us advocate for Indigenous rights at international institutions like the UN, ensuring that Indigenous voices from Russia are included in discussions about human rights and decolonization. They can also help us establish connections between Indigenous activists from Russia and those from other colonized regions. Shared experiences and strategies can strengthen resistance efforts.
By supporting Indigenous women in Russia, the international community contributes to both anti-war efforts and the broader fight for Indigenous rights and decolonization.
Victoria: One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of financial support for our projects. Indigenous organizations are not only marginalized but often have to operate on a volunteer basis. Having support in accessing funding would help us to step up our efforts.
Viliuia: Despite the importance of our presence in global advocacy spaces, it remains difficult for Indigenous peoples to access these platforms, due to financial constraints, bureaucratic visa processes and exclusionary institutional structures. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring Indigenous perspectives are not just included, but prioritized in global decision-making processes.
The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia’s colonial nature more clearly than ever before. Indigenous women from Russia are not just victims of this war – we are frontline defenders of our peoples, cultures, and lands. The international community must recognize our struggles, amplify our voices, and support our right to self-determination. Decolonization is not just a theoretical concept; it is a necessary process for justice and long-lasting peace.