Russian Arctic
The northern territory and maritime zone of Russia bordering the Arctic Ocean, encompassing Arctic islands, coastal regions, and adjacent seas.
Arctic Ocean: The smallest and shallowest of Earth’s five ocean basins, centered on the North Pole. Russia’s Arctic coastline and maritime zone border this ocean.
Sea ice: Frozen ocean water that forms, grows, and melts at the sea surface. Its seasonal extent controls access to much of Russia’s Arctic maritime zone.
Arctic shipping: Commercial and other vessel traffic through waters within or near the Arctic Circle. Russian Arctic ports and routes support shipping between northern Eurasia and global markets.
Arctic Council: An intergovernmental forum for cooperation among the eight Arctic states and Arctic Indigenous participants. Russia is one of its member states, though cooperation has been disrupted since 2022.
Arctic geopolitics: The strategic competition and cooperation among states and other actors in the Arctic region. Russia’s size, resources, and military presence make it central to Arctic power relations.
Arctic: The polar region surrounding the North Pole, defined by geography, climate, and ecological conditions. The Russian Arctic is the national part of this wider polar region.
Permafrost: Ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years. Thawing permafrost destabilizes buildings and transport infrastructure across northern Russia.
Icebreaker: A ship designed to break ice so vessels can travel through ice-covered waters. Icebreakers help maintain navigation along Russia’s seasonally ice-bound Arctic routes.
Indigenous peoples of the Russian North: Peoples with longstanding cultural and territorial ties to northern regions of Russia. Resource projects and environmental change affect their lands, livelihoods, and political rights.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: The international treaty governing maritime zones, navigation, and ocean resource rights. Its rules shape Russian claims to seabed resources beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone.