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Russia Increasing Power of Nuclear Icebreakers: Putin

19:31, 23 January 2026

Developing the Northern Sea Route is important for both Russia and international trade, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

Sputnik

"Developing the Northern Sea Route is very important for us, for international trade, and for logistics, so any research in this area is extremely important," Putin said during a meeting with the students.

Russia has always been a leader in the Arctic exploration, and it is building icebreakers unlike any other in the world, Putin said, adding that Russia is stepping up work on the development of its icebreaker fleet.

"70% of Russia's territory lies in northern latitudes. This is an extremely important matter. The development of the Northern Sea Route is crucial for us, international trade, and logistics. We have been building icebreakers that are unparalleled in the world. We have 34 diesel-powered icebreakers and eight active nuclear-powered icebreakers, with two more under construction. The Stalingrad icebreaker, a brand-new one, is also planned to begin construction soon. We have nuclear icebreakers, with a new one expected to be completed by 2030. It's going to be the strongest, the most powerful icebreaker in the world, unlike anything seen before. No country in the world has the power we have in terms of icebreakers, and we are going even further."