Eco initiative The Altai Project branded ‘undesirable’ by Russian authorities

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a press release on Wednesday that it has listed The Altai Project as “undesirable” on Russian territory.

The press release points out that the organisation is run by US national Jennifer Castner and that among its key goals is to “sabotage” the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline. It claims that the NGO is “urging people to fund ‘truthful’ ecological research that should prove the allegedly detrimental impact of the pipeline as well as propaganda work in Russian and international society”.

Moreover, the prosecutor’s office accused The Altai Project of opposing development of the Karakul cobalt deposit, thus “causing economic damage to Russia, acting in the interests of foreign enterprises, and deliberately trying to undermine the competitiveness of Russian companies”.

It also claims that the NGO’s website contains “calls to participate in protests”.

“While formally advocating for the protection of nature, [The Altai Project] is meddling in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation and may harm Russia’s economic security”, the press release reads.

The US-based NGO has worked since 1998 to protect landscapes and wildlife and support indigenous peoples in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Its website states that the project stands in solidarity with Ukraine during Russia’s attack and is therefore pausing its work in Russia.