Russian authorities have accused Antarctic marine biologist Dr. Leonid Pshenichnov of high treason for his work on marine protected areas that could hinder Russia's resource ambitions in the region. The 70-year-old Ukrainian, arrested in occupied Crimea, was set to represent his country at an international conservation meeting. The case has raised alarms about scientific freedom and Russia's compliance with Antarctic treaties.
Dr. Leonid Pshenichnov, a Ukrainian citizen since 1991, faces charges of high treason under Article 275 of Russia's Criminal Code for allegedly collaborating with the United States and other allies to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in Antarctica. According to a document obtained by Daily Maverick from Australia's Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the accusations claim Pshenichnov's proposals would limit Russia's opportunities to exploit hydrocarbon resources on the Antarctic continental shelf and restrict its industrial fishing activities.
Pshenichnov, aged 70, was reportedly arrested in Russian-occupied Crimea in September 2025. He had been a member of Ukraine's delegation to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) since the mid-1990s and was scheduled to attend the ongoing 11-day meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, which began last week and focuses on fishing limits and stalled MPAs. The document surfaced during this closed-door event, prompting Russia to seal the proceedings, making further details hard to obtain, Myroshnychenko told Daily Maverick.
The charges highlight tensions over Antarctica's environmental protections. Mineral resource activities have been banned indefinitely under Article 7 of the protocol since 1998, though a review can be triggered from 2048. Russia's state explorer Rosgeo has conducted seismic surveys in the Weddell and East Antarctic seas since 1998, often via Cape Town, with estimates of 70 billion tons of hydrocarbons. Observers link Russia's vetoes of MPAs to these oil ambitions.
Former US Antarctic policy chief William Muntean, who served from 2018 to 2023, urged treaty states to question inviting Russian representatives to future meetings if Pshenichnov is not released immediately. 'It appears... that its policy is to oppose scientific freedom and international scientific collaboration, support hydrocarbon exploitation and pursue unregulated industrial fishing,' Muntean said.
Ukraine's statement at the CCAMLR meeting called Pshenichnov the first political prisoner in Antarctic history for opposing overexploitation. South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment reaffirmed its commitment to the treaties, emphasizing peaceful scientific use. Experts like Mathieu Boulègue noted Russia's pattern of obstructing Antarctic governance to position itself for future resource claims.