Russia has arrested Leonid Pshenichnov, a 70-year-old Ukrainian biologist, accusing him of high treason for allegedly undermining Moscow’s Antarctic krill fishing operations. The veteran scientist, known for decades of research supporting marine protection in Antarctica, was detained in Russian-occupied Crimea while preparing to attend a conservation conference in Australia.
According to a document seen by The Guardian, Russian authorities claim Pshenichnov “defected to the enemy’s side” by helping Ukraine propose restrictions on krill harvesting at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting in Hobart. Moscow alleges his work harmed Russia’s economic interests.
The case has provoked international condemnation, with Australia calling the detention “gravely concerning” and the UK urging Russia to release “all arbitrarily detained civilians.” Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko denounced the charges as “trumped-up,” saying Pshenichnov was “a scientist, not a politician.”
Colleagues described him as a respected and gentle researcher suffering from health issues. Dr Evgeny Pakhomov, a collaborator from the University of British Columbia, said, “We are all dreadfully worried.”
Conservationists, including the Blue Marine Foundation, demanded his release, arguing that Pshenichnov’s only “crime” was presenting evidence on the ecological harm of krill trawling. Russia has not commented on the case.
