Russia’s Arctic nuclear expansion raises global safety concerns

Russia’s escalating nuclear activities in the Arctic are causing growing concern globally as the region’s strategic and environmental stakes rise, according to the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. With an isolated Russia now focusing on bolstering its nuclear capabilities in the Arctic—while being cut off from international safety partnerships—the risks of environmental damage and safety lapses are more pronounced than ever. As resources strain due to the Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s ambitions to control the Arctic’s rich resources may come at the cost of global nuclear safety.

• Russia continues to develop nuclear submarines, icebreakers, and small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Arctic, aiming to solidify control over the resource-rich region.
• Norway recently detected elevated radiation near the Arctic, a sign of potential hazards from Russia’s nuclear presence.
• Following the Ukraine invasion, Russia lost international support and cooperation, which previously contributed significantly to Arctic nuclear safety.
• Without foreign assistance, Russia’s ability to manage potential nuclear incidents in the remote Arctic region is compromised.
• Thousands of radioactive remnants from the Soviet era remain a hazard in the Arctic, with reduced prospects for cleanup due to funding and cooperation cuts.