On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia's strategic nuclear attack subscribers could sink under the ice layer of the Arctic and disappear from foreign radar systems.
He stressed that this is an important military advantage in the context of the Arctic region increasingly playing a key role in Russia's national security.
According to Mr. Putin, the Arctic is not only of national defense significance but also has strategic value in global research and trade. Due to melting ice, new shipping routes are becoming more accessible, attracting many countries. He said Russia has a clear competitive advantage thanks to control of the route.
Russia is currently the only country to own a nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, strengthening its position in the region considered a focus of international security and trade.
Since the 2000s, Russia has built eight Borei-class nuclear-powered Submarines, the latest of which, the Knyaz Pozharsky, was launched last year, and two others are still under construction.
Mr. Putin also previously affirmed that these substances are equipped with Bulava ballistic missiles with a range of up to 8,000km, helping to expand Russia's strategic deterrence capabilities.
In recent years, both Russia and the US have repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Arctic in international security and trade. With modern Submarine capabilities and nuclear icebreaking fleets, Russia is affirming its special position in this region.
