Thermokarst (thaw) lakes are largely natural features that have moved centre stage with the growing appreciation of rapid arctic warming. Although simple in concept (ground ice thaw leads to surface collapse and pond formation), they are challenging to study, and generalisations about what drives their dynamics can be unhelpful. Fire and thermokarst are also linked, and with the prevalence of fire apparently increasing across much of the northern boreal zone, there is growing concern about their interaction. In Siberia, thermokarst is widespread and has been the subject of research for decades, though currently in Russia a poor economy and low support for research institutions has limited work. This situation and the critical place of Siberia within climate change and the global carbon cycle are strong arguments for international scientific cooperation and a reason to conduct “scientific diplomacy”.