Yevgeniya Chirikova

Yevgeniya Sergeyevna Chirikova (: born 12 November 1976) is a Russian opposition figure, environmental activist, primarily known for opposing the building of a motorway through Khimki Forest near Moscow. She has also played a prominent role in the 2011–2013 Russian protests following disputed parliamentary elections in Russia. Chirikova has also been credited with "stimulating nationwide interest in political reform". She is currently based in Estonia.

Campaigning

Chirikova has campaigned against the building of a road through Khimki Forest. She also helped convince the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank to "shun the project". On this occasion, she proposed imposing sanctions on Russian politicians including Minister of Transport Igor Levitin.

In 2012, she was a winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize, receiving a US$150,000 prize. ) to fight similar environmental campaigns to Khimki.

In November 2012, Foreign Policy named Yevgeniya Chirikova one of its 2012 Top 100 Global Thinkers.

On 19 November 2024, Chirikova was awarded the 23rd Hanno R Ellenbogen Citizenship Award at the Palffy Palace, Bratislava, at a ceremony also honoring Cardinal Dominik Duka (25th), Milan Knazko (24th) and Barbara Day by the Prague Society for International Cooperation and Global Panel Foundation as part of the 35th Commemoration of the Velvet Revolution and 25th Hanno R Ellenbogen Citizenship Award Ceremony.

Family Yevgeniya Chirikova is married to businessman Mikhail Matveyev, candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, coordinator of the Movement to Defend the Khimki Forest. She has two daughters, Liza and Sasha. Her brother is magician Dmitry Chirikov.