The Duma of Chukotka’s speaker explained this as "a threat to national security and the mistreatment of Chukotka's residents." According to Valentina Rudchenko, the World Wildlife Fund is "funded by the enemies of Russia." Information about this appeared on the Duma of Chukotka’s website on November 11.
WWF, "under the guise of nature protection, seeks to create specially protected areas," the Duma of Chukotka’s website says. This allegedly leads to the seizure of land from the state. The Duma of Chukotka's speaker Valentina Rudchenko recalled that there was a Russian military base on Wrangel Island, and the border with the United States ran along the coast of Chukotka.
The Ministry of Natural Resources had stated that the status of a specially protected territory "should have not created obstacles to protecting the interests of the state in the field of defense and national security." Therefore, it is planned to allow blasting works, military exercises, and the construction of training areas on Wrangel Island.
According to the deputies of Chukotka, WWF activists sought the loyalty of local residents, involved them in their projects, and "financed joint events." Therefore, the authorities intend to terminate the agreements with the fund at the municipal level as well.
"[This] is especially important in the current situation, when we are opposing the collective West in defending our Homeland," commented Alyona Vakarik, the regional All-Russia People's Front’s head.
In Irkutsk, deputies asked to recognize the Russian branch of Greenpeace, which also opposed changing Wrangel Island’s status and transferring it to the military, as an undesirable organization.
