Key Facts
• On December 27, 2025, a protest occurred in Irkutsk, Russia.
• 200–300 people opposed a new law allowing limited logging near Lake Baikal.
• The law, signed by President Vladimir Putin in December 2025, takes effect in March 2026.
• Protesters included Yabloko party leader Nikolai Rybakov and Communist Party lawmakers.
• Demonstrators held signs reading “No logging at Lake Baikal.”
• Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, is renowned for its biodiversity and clarity.
• Russian Academy of Sciences scientists warned logging could harm the lake’s ecosystem.
• Scientists petitioned Putin to revoke the law, citing ecological risks.
Summary
A protest against limited logging near Lake Baikal took place in Irkutsk, Russia, on December 27, 2025, with 200–300 participants. The demonstration opposed a new law signed by President Vladimir Putin, which permits restricted logging along the lake’s shores starting March 2026. Protesters, including political leaders, voiced concerns about the potential ecological damage to Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique ecosystem. Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences have also criticized the law, warning it could disrupt the lake’s biodiversity. Efforts to reverse the legislation include public petitions to the president.
