According to its own statements, ALLATRA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to awareness, research, and education regarding climate and geodynamic risks, micro- and nanoplastics, and the protection of fundamental human rights. Geodynamic risks refer to hazards caused by movements within the Earth's interior and on the Earth's surface, such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The organization states that it is present in more than 180 countries. Since 2017, its global headquarters has been located in the US state of Georgia. It describes itself as non-political and non-religious, operates on a volunteer basis, and has no formal membership. Its work is financed through voluntary donations.

What makes ALLATRA's self-representation sensitive is less its list of topics than its contrasting treatment by authorities. According to the organization, Russia is the only country that has banned it. In Ukraine, a court of appeal confirmed the legality of its activities. In the European Parliament, the Quaestors concluded that allegations regarding pro-Russian narratives and disinformation networks were not conclusively proven. The following text is based on the organization's official presentation on allatra.org.

From "Undesirable" to "Extremist": The Russian Escalation Since 2015

ALLATRA cites its independence and ability to build public trust as the core reasons for the ban in Russia. Since its founding, the organization has also been present in Russia. Research into geodynamic changes on our planet, communication with various organizations and scientists, and public discussions on climate, ecology, public safety, and the future of society found a broad audience in Russia. Over time, an independent civil society network emerged with its own internet TV channels, podcasts, social media channels, and international connections. ALLATRA gained growing popularity among people in Russia. (Editor's note: This likely did not sit well with the Russian state, as it was gradually escaping its control.)

Starting in 2015, according to the organization, Russian authorities initiated an ongoing campaign through state-controlled expert panels and state-affiliated media that portrayed ALLATRA as an "extremist" organization. The aim was reportedly to marginalize it and undermine trust both domestically and internationally. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted in its 2020 report that Russian authorities use such rhetoric as a tool of repression to justify prosecution and eliminate independent organizations.

In August 2023, the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia classified ALLATRA as "undesirable." In 2024, Russian authorities completely blocked the video platform Rumble. The CEO of Rumble stated that the block was due to the refusal to remove the ALLATRA TV channel, while emphasizing that the channel's content complied with Rumble's guidelines.

On June 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Russia declared ALLATRA an "extremist" organization nationwide and banned its activities.

Witnesses Report Raids, Armed Force, and Torture in Ufa

According to the ALLATRA organization, Russian authorities conducted house searches, forced interrogations, raids, and acts of torture against former participants. A witness who testified online at a side event of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe described violent actions during house searches. A young female participant was reportedly forced to lie on the floor for an hour with a gun pointed at her. Authority officials explicitly told participants: "You are not allowed to talk about the climate. This topic is forbidden."

Another witness account quoted by ALLATRA describes events in the city of Ufa (Russia) in August 2024, prior to the nationwide ban in June 2025:
"In September 2024, I learned new, truly horrific details. It turned out that in August, the same wave of raids against ALLATRA volunteers had hit the city of Ufa. During interrogations, FSB officers tortured some of them with electric shocks and plastic bags placed over their heads."

According to information received by ALLATRA from current and former participants, former participants remaining in Russia faced criminal charges, court proceedings, forced interrogations, torture, and ongoing persecution. Many left the country for their own safety, leaving behind their homes, jobs, businesses, and property. In certain cases, individuals have been sentenced to forced labor, imprisoned, or sent to penal colonies. Russia remains the only country where ALLATRA has been banned. Outside Russia, ALLATRA continues its work, including through the ALLATRA Global Research Center in the United States.

The Administrative Court of Appeal in Kyiv Rejected the Application for a Ban

In Ukraine, allegations against ALLATRA were submitted to state authorities and reviewed in court. The origin of the allegations continues to be investigated. As the media outlet EU Reporter noted, one possible explanation is the activity of pro-Russian influence networks within Ukrainian institutions.

On February 25, 2026, the Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal in Kyiv upheld the decision of the lower court and confirmed the legality of ALLATRA's activities in Ukraine. The court saw no legal grounds for a ban or forced dissolution. It rejected the expert assessment materials submitted as inadmissible, stating that they contained no concrete, objective, or convincing evidence of illegal activity. Furthermore, the court referenced evidence of the patriotic nature of ALLATRA's work in Ukraine. According to this account, the organization remains a lawfully operating public association and has neither been banned nor prohibited by Ukrainian courts.

Earlier, on February 2, 2026, the National Police of Ukraine recognized ALLATRA as an injured legal entity in criminal proceedings regarding interference with the lawful activities of a non-governmental organization under Article 170 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This status confirms that ALLATRA is being treated in these proceedings as an organization whose rights and legitimate interests were violated.

According to its own statements, ALLATRA supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders and condemns Russia's armed aggression, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international law. A public example is the conference "Freedom Has a Name and It's Called Ukraine" on February 5, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Quaestors of the European Parliament: No Conclusive Evidence

According to its own statements, ALLATRA and the ALLATRA Global Research Center participate in European forums, including the European Parliament and OSCE human dimension platforms. The research center is registered in the European Union's Transparency Register under number REG 1148853102055-15.

In February 2026, ALLATRA Global Research Center participated in the event "Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections And Emerging Risks" at the European Parliament, organized by a Member of the European Parliament in cooperation with the Research Center. Following the event, three Members of the European Parliament from political groups opposed to the organizing MEP's group submitted a complaint. It alleged that the ALLATRA Global Research Center had spread pro-Russian narratives and maintained ties to Russian disinformation networks.

On April 29, 2026, after examining the information gathered by the parliamentary services, the Quaestors of the European Parliament concluded that there were no "conclusive and unambiguous elements" to support these allegations and insufficient grounds to open an investigation. The review thus revealed no proven connection between the ALLATRA Global Research Center and pro-Russian narratives, Russian disinformation networks, or hostile influence activities.

Contrary to claims published by individual media outlets belonging to pro-Russian networks, which are not supported by evidence or official documents, ALLATRA is not under investigation by any European Union institution.
Disinformation Following the ALLATRA Ban in Russia and Request for Source Verification
Even after the ban in Russia, state-affiliated Russian media continue to publish material framing the organization as "pseudoscientific," according to ALLATRA. The intended purpose is to undermine trust in climate research and scientific work, particularly as international attention grows. Allegations of Russian origin have found their way into European and international media. At the same time, claims that Ukrainian courts and the Quaestors of the European Parliament deemed unsubstantiated have been repeated in international publications, creating the false impression of independent confirmation.

A significant portion of negative online content about ALLATRA can be traced back to Russian sources, the organization writes. It calls on journalists, researchers, and publishers to verify the origins of the information they use.

Nanoplastics Report, COP Conferences, and Public Science Communication

The ALLATRA Global Research Center is the interdisciplinary research and science communication division of the ALLATRA organization. It published the analytical report "Nanoplastics. A Systematic Risk Analysis for Human Health, Ecosystems, and the Environment." The report is licensed under CC BY 4.0 and carries the DOI https://doi.org/10.65849/agrc.report.mnp.2026.04001. It is aimed at the scientific community, regulatory authorities, political institutions, and the public.

The findings were presented at the European Parliament during the conference "Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Biosphere: Impact on Human Health and Planetary Climate." There, scientists and EU decision-makers examined potential health risks and environmental impacts of micro- and nanoplastics. The documentary film "Nanoplastics: Threat to Life," produced by the ALLATRA Global Research Center, was screened in the United States, Germany, and Latin America, among other locations, and received awards at several international film festivals.

ALLATRA participated in COP29 in Baku, COP30 in Belém, and the COP16 conferences in Colombia and Saudi Arabia. COP conferences are UN conferences of the parties on climate, biodiversity, or desertification. According to the organization, it presented expert climate assessments and held discussions with government representatives and international officials. Further milestones in its public work include OSCE formats in Vienna and Warsaw, a Congressional briefing on cognitive warfare on September 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C., a TEDx talk by Chief Scientist Dr. John Ahn on May 30, 2026, in St. Louis, as well as collaborations in Bolivia with the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense, the Bolivian Catholic University "San Pablo," and the San Calixto Observatory.

In December 2024, Pope Francis granted ALLATRA an Apostolic Blessing for its work on environmental protection and the care of creation. In July 2025, Pope Leo XIV granted an Apostolic Blessing to President Maryna Ovtsynova and the organization's volunteers.

Climate Position and the Line Between Official and Personal Statements

According to its own statements, ALLATRA recognizes the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change, including the role of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in current global warming, as presented in key findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Additionally, the organization's research explores other risk areas, including microplastics, nanoplastics, geodynamic processes, health, ecosystems, and environmental resilience.

ALLATRA communicates official positions exclusively via allatra.org. Statements made by speakers, guests, experts, partners, or participants at events reflect their personal views and do not constitute an official position unless explicitly confirmed by ALLATRA. Co-hosting a conference also does not imply endorsement of every opinion expressed there.

Thus, the organization presents the image of a volunteer-driven research and educational initiative. ALLATRA describes itself as a non-political and non-religious organization. It operates on a voluntary basis and has no formal membership. This means that no one can officially become a member; instead, individuals can participate in specific projects for as long as they wish. According to the organization, its work is funded by voluntary public donations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.