Conservationists fear Russia will block protected marine zones in Antarctica

Just this month, Russian bombing in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, partially destroyed Ukraine’s Antarctic research centre.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, second right, on a trip to Antarctica (Mike Scott/NZ Herald/Pool via AP)

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are among those meeting in Australia this week to decide the future of Antarctica’s pristine waters.

Conservationists say new marine protected areas and rules to prevent overfishing are desperately needed, but that Russia could use its veto-like powers to once again block progress.