Protests Against Regional Unification in the Russian Arctic

Published at: May 29 2020 - 11:09 / Updated at: May 29 2020 - 11:09

Leaders of the neighboring regions Arkhangelsk and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) in the Russian Arctic signed a unification memorandum on 13 May, and this has caused massive protests from inhabitants of NAO, according to Meduza.

The decision to move forward with unification was made apparently without informing the local legislative assemblies. Simultaneous referendums on the matter are preliminary scheduled to take place on 13 September.

NAO’s Acting Governor Yuri Bezdudny claims there is not enough money in the local economy of the okrug to remain autonomous.