Russia Deploys Nuclear-Armed Warships In The Arctic For The First Time In 30 Years

The Norwegian Intelligence Service writes that the Northern Fleet's naval forces are essentially intact. Pictured is the Russian frigate Admiral Gorsjkov which belongs to a new class of frigates that are equipped with very modern missiles. (Photo: the Norwegian Armed Forces)  

Politico: Norway warns of growing importance of Russian nuclear ‘deterrent’ in Arctic 

‘Tactical nuclear weapons are a particularly serious threat,’ Norwegian intelligence report says. 

While war rages in Ukraine, Norway’s intelligence service is warning of the increasing importance of Russia’s nuclear “deterrent” in the Arctic waters of the far north. 

“As the importance of nuclear weapons and strategic deterrent forces increases, the Northern Fleet’s defense of the military bases in Kola, the Northern Bastion and the Barents Sea is also becoming more important,” the Norwegian Intelligence Service said in its annual report. 

When asked to clarify its assessment on the risks, the intelligence service told POLITICO: “The key part of the nuclear deterrent is on the submarines and surface ships of the Northern Fleet.”  

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Update #1: Russia deploying nuclear missile carriers in Arctic for first time since collapse of USSR, Norwegian intelligence reports (The New Voice of Ukraine)  

Update #2: Putin ‘deploys nuclear-armed warships in Arctic for first time in 30 years’ in chilling warning to West (The SUN)  

WNU Editor: A summary of the Norwegian intelligence report is here .... Norwegian Intelligence Service: The Past Year’s Development Has Increased Norways Geopolitical Significance (High North News).

What Is Russia Up To In The Arctic?

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PJ Media: What Is Russia Up to in the Icy Waters of the Arctic?

A tragic fire aboard a secret Russian nuclear "mini-sub" in the Barents Sea that killed 14 senior sailors has refocused media attention on a little-noticed flash-point of the world: the Arctic. That an important Russian system was being tested or demonstrated was suggested by reports "that among the 14 dead were 7 senior navy captains and 2 'Heroes of Russia.'" The presence of so many Russian navy worthies raises questions because brass do not typically twiddle dials on mini-submarines, but watch them being twiddled until something goes horribly wrong.

One may speculate endlessly on the true nature of the Russian experiment. But although we may never know the disaster's cause, it is evidently so important that the Kremlin is pushing on. The damaged secret submarine Losharik will be returned to service ASAP to continue whatever it was doing.

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WNU Editor: Russia has always viewed the Arctic as a strategic and resource important region .... Russia Wants To Take Over The Arctic. Announces Arctic Military Modernization And Buildup (August 9, 2019).

A Look Inside A Russian Military Base In The Arctic

The base is strategically situated near some of the region's main shipping routes and has been heavily fortified

Daily Mail: Russia tightens its grip on the Arctic with military base in polar region rich in resources

* Some 250 troops are stationed on Kotelny Island which is between the Laptev and Eastern Siberian Sea
* The strategic base has been rebuilt after it was abandoned in the 1990s following the fall of the Soviet Union
* Russia has installed some of its most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ship equipment at the military base

Russia has installed an advanced missile defence system into an arctic base on Kotelny Island in the centre of the region's main shipping route.

Some 250 military personnel are responsible for anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons at the base which sits between the Laptev Sea and Eastern Siberian sea.

Such is the remote nature of the base, it has enough supplies to remain self-sufficient for 12 months.

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More News On A Russian Military Base In The Arctic

With missiles pointing out to sea, ‘Northern Clover’ stakes Russian claim on Arctic waters -- Navy Times/AP
Russia stakes its hold on the Arctic with military base -- Canadian Press
Inside the military base at the heart of Putin's Arctic ambitions -- CNN

Russia's Arctic Bases Are Now Almost Operational

The Nagurskoye base in Franz Josef Land

The Barents Observer: Navy pilots take off to new Arctic bases

The upgrade of Russia’s far northern airfields is almost competed and the naval air force has got enhanced capability to neutralize threats. That includes the ones located under the ice.

The comprehensive construction and upgrade of new airfields in the high Arctic has been practically completed and we are flying there and back, says Mayor General Igor Kozhin, leader of the Russian Naval Air Force.

Russia has over the last years invested heavily in military bases all over its wide-stretched Arctic, and there are now potent forces deployed all the way from the westernmost archipelago of Franz Josef Land to the Wrangle Island near the Bering Strait. In addition comes the bases on Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Island. New bases and air fields are also located on the Arctic mainland, from the Kola Peninsula to Cape Shmidt in the Chukotka Peninsula. The new base in Tiksi, was started in fall 2018 and is planned completed already in the course of the first half year of 2019.

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WNU Editor: No other nation has the military presence in the arctic that Russia has.

Russia Is Ready For War In The Arctic

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National Interest: How Russia Is Getting Ready for War in the Arctic

Or, at the very least, increasing its military capabilites.

Sharp Russian-NATO tensions on the Baltic sea and in the Kerch Strait can obscure day-to-day developments in a more remote, but increasingly militarized zone of great-power competition: the Arctic.

As Russian president Vladimir Putin stated several years ago , “Over decades, step by step, Russia has built up, strengthened its positions in the Arctic, and our goal is not only to regain them, but also to qualitatively strengthen them.”

And Russia has, in fact, heavily bolstered its Arctic presence in the recent years. There are forty Russian Icebreakers operating in the Arctic, supported by six Russian military bases equipped with several S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.

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Update: Russia says will build up Arctic military presence (AFP)

WNU Editor: This Russian buildup has been going on for a very long time .... Russia's Militarization Of The Arctic Continues (March 19, 2015).

Update #2: An interesting read .... Militaries are building up in the Arctic, but a new Cold War there is a myth (Danita Catherine Burke, The Conversation).

Russia's Military Presence In The Arctic Should Not Be Ignored

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Lima Charlie News

Mandy Mayfield, National Defense: Analysts Downplay Russia's Military Presence in the Arctic

The U.S. national security community is sounding the alarm about Russian military activities in the Arctic. But some experts in international relations said those concerns are overblown.

It is common for observers to misinterpret Russia's military presence in the region as a sign that the nation is preparing for war, said Marlene Laruelle, a research professor at the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian studies at George Washington University. But much of Russia's military modernization is geared toward boosting its economy, she said Sept. 12 during a conference hosted by the Stimson Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

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WNU Editor:  Russia is making a bet that global warming will continue, and in the next decade or two the arctic will be a strategic waterway for shipping.

Russia Beefs Up Its Nuclear Forces In The Arctic

A Delta-IV class submarine in the Barents Sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen (The Barents Observer)

FoxTrot Alpha: Russia Is Beefing Up Its Nuclear Weapons In The Arctic At The Worst Possible Moment

Russia has deployed 215 more nuclear warheads than allowed by the New START treaty, setting itself up to violate a provision that goes into effect next year. Surely this will end well.

New START allows 1,500 deployed warheads, with that goal supposed to be reached in February 2018, and it’s designed to help both the U.S. and Russia know what each country has as far as its stockpiles. It also allows verification to ensure both nations are honoring their obligations, with on-site inspections and data exchanges are required. The regime is extremely intrusive and, arguably, has helped avoid another Cold War, if you consider how unstable relations would be if neither Washington nor Moscow knew what the other country had.

And right now, the two parties are supposed to be working to reduce their number of deployed warheads, not actively increasing them. But it looks like Russia is doing the latter.

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WNU Editor: The Kola Peninsula has always been the main region where Russia's sea based nuclear forces have been stationed. It is also near the Arctic .... so yes .... any buildup there can be argued that it is a buildup in the Arctic. Is Russia modernizing and building up its nuclear forces .... definitely. Is it in violation of the New START treaty .... the answer is no. The provisions of the treaty are suppose to kick in on February 2018, and Russia has already committed itself to those numbers. If by this time next year that is not the case, we can then make the claim that the understanding behind the treaty has been breached. But for now .... no.

Update: For more info on Russia's build-up of its nuclear force .... Nukes, Subs and Missiles: How Russia Plans to Challenge America's Military Dominance (National Interest).

Russia Continues With Its Military Buildup In The Arctic

NBC: Russia’s Military Buildup in Arctic Has U.S. Watching Closely

ALAKURTTI BASE, RUSSIAN ARCTIC — An RPG shell whistles towards its target, exploding in a ball of fire just as a group of soldiers in white fatigues, zip past on skis, bullets flying from their white rifles.

It was all part of a training exercise by Russia's newly formed 80th Motor Rifle Arctic Brigade, which was established two years ago as part of the Kremlin's bid for dominance in the Arctic. The soldiers are trained to operate in some of the least hospitable climates in the world — where temperatures can drop to -40 — using tanks, military hardware and even reindeer sleds to get around in the frozen terrain.

NBC News was granted rare access to the Alakurtti base this week, along with several other foreign media organizations. Located near the border with Finland in the Murmansk region, the Soviet-era base was refurbished and formally opened in 2015.

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More News On Russia Continuing With Its Military Buildup In The Arctic

Russia flaunts Arctic expansion with new military bases -- ABC News
Russia is building military bases in the Arctic as it tries to control the region -- NYDaily News
Russia Touts Arctic Military Base as US Struggles to Catch Up -- Military.com/FOX News
Russia expands into the Arctic by building new airbases in show of military force -- International Business Times

Russia Unveils Its New Arctic Military Base

BBC: Russia's new Arctic Trefoil military base unveiled with virtual tour

Visitors to the Russian defence ministry website can now take a "virtual tour" of a new military base in a remote region of the Arctic.

Such media openness contrasts markedly with Russia's traditional military secrecy. However, the tour does not show any new military hardware.

The Arctic Trefoil permanent base is in Franz Josef Land, a huge ice-covered, desolate archipelago.

The Russian military sees the resource-rich Arctic as a key strategic region.

President Vladimir Putin visited the new base, on Alexandra Land, last month.

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More News On Russia Unveiling Its New Arctic Military Base

Take a Virtual 3D Tour of Russia's New Artic Military Base -- Sputnik
3D tour of secret Russia Arctic military base -- RBTH
Take a Tour of Russia's Giant New Arctic Military Base -- Newsweek
Russia unveils its new Arctic military base housing nuclear-ready warplanes and REINDEER-powered special forces as it seeks to claim the region's huge oil and gas reserves -- Daily Mail
Russia reveals virtual tour of new Arctic military base -- UPI
Russia's military buildup in Arctic puts U.S. on alert -- CBS
Take a look inside Russia’s northernmost Arctic military base -- Barents Observer
[Photos] Russia's Northernmost Base Operational -- Maritime Executive

Russia's Arctic Military Force Use Reindeer In Their Training

© Lev Fedoseev/TASS

TASS: Surprising military training of Russia's Arctic motor rifle brigade

Soldiers of the Arctic separate motorized rifle brigade of Russia's Northern Fleet tokk part in drills featuring reindeer and dog sledge

Soldiers of the Arctic separate motorized rifle brigade of Russia's Northern Fleet held unusual military exercise - featuring reindeer and dog sledge. Training was held at a deer farm near the village of Lovozero 164 kilometers southeast of Murmansk. Servicemen used chums, traditional shelters of Siberian nomadic peoples. Surprising military training of Russia's Arctic motor rifle brigade - in this gallery by TASS.

WNU Editor: The gallery starts here.

Major Russian Base In Arctic Almost Completed

Putin's geopolitical interests of Russia are connected with the Arctic. Photo by Arctic Ecology Commitee

Radio Free Europe: Russia Builds Second Military Base To Support Arctic Ambitions

Russia's defense ministry said it has built a giant military base in the far northern Arctic, establishing a sprawling presence where Russia hopes to retrieve oil and other mineral riches.

The ministry said October 20 that the building erected on the large island of Alexandra Land, which is part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, is 97 percent complete.

Named the "Arctic Trefoil," or three-lobed leaf, the massive three-pointed structure is colored red, white, and blue like the Russian flag. It is a permanent structure located on the 80th parallel north and has an area of over 14,000 square meters.

More News On The Completion Of A Major Russian Base In The Arctic

Construction of Russia’s Arctic military compound nearing completion -- TASS
Russia builds massive Arctic military base -- AFP
Russia builds massive Arctic military base -- The Telegraph
Russia nears completion of Arctic military base on Alexandra Land for 150 troops -- DW
Russia's new base 'combat ready' in disputed Arctic region -- Ukraine Today
Russia and America prep forces for Arctic war -- Reuters

Russia Wants To Take Over The Arctic. Announces Arctic Military Modernization And Buildup

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Business Insider: This map shows Russia's game-changing militarization of the Arctic

As the Arctic warms, Russia is positioning itself to become the dominant player in a resource-rich and strategically positioned region.

In order to capitalize on the oil and gas under the Arctic seabed and exploit new shipping routes as ice cover recedes, Moscow is undertaking a major military upgrade of its northern coast and outlying archipelagos. Its new bases — which include search-and-rescue stations, ports and airstrips, and military headquarters — are meant to project Russian hard power into an emerging strategic frontier.

The map shows exactly where Russia is building its bases, and reveals the continent-wide scope of Russia's militarization of its northern coast. And it shows how intense Russia's Arctic focus is compared to that of its neighbors and rivals.

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More News On Russian Claims To The Arctic

Russia resubmits claim for energy-rich Arctic shelf -- Reuters
Russia submits claim over Arctic and North Pole to UN citing scientific proof -- IBTimes
Russia Stakes New Claim to Expanse in the Arctic -- NYT
Russia submits fresh claim for Arctic shelf -- AFP
Drones & satellites: Russia to create Arctic complex monitoring system by 2025 -- RT
Russia to Create Multimillion Dollar Arctic Monitoring System by 2025 -- Sputnik
'Strategic blunder': Republicans slam Obama administration as Russia tries Arctic land grab -- FOX News
Russia will take over the Arctic with these snowmobiles -- Value Walk
Putin Uses Subs and Science to Lay Claim to North Pole -- Popular Mechanics
Russia is trying to take over the Arctic -- Any Tully, OILPRICE.COM
Western Media Hysteria Over Russia's Arctic Bid -- Danielle Ryan, Sputnik
Russia's Arctic claim: What's the message? -- Denise Hassanzade Ajiri, CSM
"Conflict over Arctic shelf unlikely" -- Atle Staalesen, Barents Observer
As the Arctic Thaws, New Temptations -- New York Times editorial

Russia's Militarization Of The Arctic Continues

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The Heritage Foundation

Jeremy Bender, Business Insider: This map shows the massive scale of Russia's planned fortification of the Arctic

The Arctic ice is slowly melting, and Russia is positioning itself to take advantage of new shipping routes along with natural resources available beneath the Arctic seabed.

In order to capitalize on a changing Arctic, Russia is undertaking a major military upgrade of its northern coast and outlying Arctic archipelagos. These bases — which include search-and-rescue stations, military ports and airstrips, and military headquarters — are positioning Russia to become the dominant power in the region.

Update: Russia's Arctic pivot is a massive military undertaking -- Jeremy Bender, Business Insider

WNU Editor: The Russians are not the only ones who are militarization the Arctic .... The Creeping Militarization of the Arctic (Abhijit Singh, The Diplomat)

Russia Moves To Establish A Military Presence In the Arctic

Elisabeth Braw, Newsweek: Putin Makes His First Move in Race to Control the Arctic

WNU Editor: It's really all about the oil .... Russian oil major Rosneft to yield over $2.8 trillion in revenues from Arctic development (ITAR-TASS)

More News The Russian Military Buildup In The Arctic

Russian Marines to Prepare for Arctic Warfare in 2015: Northern Fleet -- Sputnik
Air force and air defense army for Russia's Arctic to be in place 2015 — General Staff -- ITAR-TASS
Russia to Form Air Army in Arctic in 2015: Army Chief -- Sputnik
Upgraded MiG-31 interceptors to cover Russia's Arctic, other strategic directions — source -- ITAR-TASS
Russia's Arctic group to get Orlan-10 drones by year end -- ITAR-TASS
Russia plans Orlan-10 UAV Arctic deployment -- IHS Jane's 360
Russia Is Deploying A Drone Fleet To The Arctic -- Business Insider
The Arctic Is Now A Frozen Conflict -- Business Insider/The Economist

Russia Opens A New Permanent Military Base In The Arctic

Russian Navy Sends Flotilla To Arctic To Start Permanent Service At Military Base -- RT

Six vessels from the Russian North fleet have left their base in Severomorsk in the Barents Sea and set off for the New Siberian Islands, where a military base under reconstruction will start functioning later this year.

“The major goal of the latest expedition of the North fleet ships to the Arctic is to deliver personnel, equipment and property of the North fleet’s tactical group, which starting this year is going to fulfill military service at the New Siberian Islands on a permanent basis,” said the North fleet commander, admiral Vladimir Korolyov.

The six vessels currently on their way to the Arctic are submarine chaser “Admiral Levchenko”, two large landing ships – “St George” and “Kondopoga”, the tanker “Sergey Osipov”, rescue tug “Pamir” and the lifting-and-mooring vessel “Aleksandr Pushkin”.

RT correspondent Marat Gazdiev, who will spend two weeks on board one of the ships, says the flotilla was forced to spend several days in port, waiting for better weather.

Read more ....

More News On Russia Opening A New Permanent Military Base In The Arctic

Russia to reopen Northern Fleet base in Arctic -- BBC
Russia dispatches naval force to reopen Arctic base -- AFP
Russia ships lay claim to Arctic's energy riches: Putin sends naval convoy to reopen military base -- Daily Mail
Russian naval group to be based on New Siberian Islands in Arctic -- ITAR-TASS
Russia’s North Fleet Heads to Arctic for Permanent Naval Base -- RIA Novosti

Russia Prepares To Defend It's Claims In The Arctic

The nuclear icebreaker Vaygach (RIA Novosti / Vadim Zhernov)

Russia To Create United Naval Base System For Ships, Subs In Arctic - Putin -- RT

A united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines will be created in the Arctic to defend Russia’s interests in the region, President Vladimir Putin said.

He urged the government to provide full state funding for the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic through 2017-20.

Putin said that a separate state agency should be created to implement Russian policy in the Arctic and to improve the quality of governance and decision-making in this area.

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Update: Russia to Build Network of Modern Naval Bases in Arctic - Putin -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: As Russia allocates vessels and bases to implement their Arctic strategy .... the U.S. is still working on it's strategy.

Russia To Establish A Military Command For The Arctic

RIA Novosti / Vitaliy Ankov

Russia To Set Up Arctic Military Command By 2014 -- RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, February 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will form a new strategic military command by the end of 2014 to protect its interests in the Arctic, a high-ranking military source told RIA Novosti Monday.

“The new command will comprise the Northern Fleet, Arctic warfare brigades, air force and air defense units as well as additional administrative structures,” the source in Russia’s General Staff said.

The military structure, dubbed the Northern Fleet-Unified Strategic Command, will be responsible for protecting Russia’s Arctic shipping and fishing, oil and gas fields on the Arctic shelf, and the country’s national borders in the north, the source said.

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Update #1: Russian military to have special command for Arctic operations -- RT
Update #2: Russian military boosts arctic presence -- UPI

My Comment: There are some media reports that the establishment of an arctic military command is a bit premature .... but I suspect that it is in the works and that it will be established by the end of this year .... from the Russian perspective, there is just too much at stake in the north.

Update: The U.S. plan for the arctic is different.

Russia's Military To Resume A Permanent Presence In The Arctic

Russian Military Resumes Permanent Arctic Presence -- RIA Novsoti

The Russian Navy’s long-distance cruise in the Subarctic along the Northern Sea Route has become a flagship mission in the region abandoned by the military after the fall of the USSR. Now the once deactivated infrastructure will resume operation.

On Saturday, Russia’s Defense Ministry officially announced return of Russia’s military to the Subarctic region. The statement was made to mark the arrival of a task group of 10 warships and support vessels to the western coast of Kotelny Island in the Novosibirsk (New Siberian Islands) Archipelago.

The task group is headed by Russia’s most powerful battleship and the flagship of the Northern Fleet, cruiser Peter the Great (Pyotr Veliky). The group is accompanied by four nuclear icebreakers facilitating the passage through areas with particularly thick ice.

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My Comment:  This is only going to facilitate a response from the other nations that border the arctic.

Update: Russia Preparing Patrols of Arctic Shipping Lanes -- New York Times

Russia To Deploy Troops Into The Arctic

Russia To Deploy Thousands Of Troops To 'Protect The Nation's Interests' In The Arctic -- The Daily Mail

Russia has announced it will send two army brigades, including special forces soldiers, to the Arctic to protect its interests in the disputed, oil-rich zone.

Russia, the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway have all made claims over parts of the Arctic circle which is believed to hold up to a quarter of the Earth's undiscovered oil and gas.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia 'remains open for dialogue' with its polar neighbours, but will 'strongly and persistently' defend its interests in the region.

Read more ....

More News On Russia Deploying Thousands Of Troops Into The Arctic

Russia plans Arctic army brigades -- BBC
Russia to Deploy Troops to Defend Interests in Arctic -- Wall Street Journal
Russia creates Arctic troop brigades -- ABC News (Australia)
Russia creates two brigades of Arctic troops -- Reuters
Russia to create Arctic troops - defense minister -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: I guess the Russians are still peeved-off about this deal.

Russian Military To Deploy In The Arctic

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. © RIA Novosti. Valery Melnikov

Russia To Create Arctic Troops - Defense Minister -- RIA Novsoti

Russia will deploy troops in the north to defend its interests in the Arctic region, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday.

"The General Staff is currently drafting plans to establish two such formations. Those plans should take into account deployment sites, armaments, number of servicemen and infrastructure," the defense minister said.

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Update #1: Russia to create two Arctic brigades: minister -- Xinhuanet
Update #2: Russia to deploy 2 army brigades in Arctic -- Yahoo News/AP

My Comment: This decision will impact Canada significantly .... but being Canada Day today, Canadians are focused elsewhere.