Russia controls Northern Sea routes as ice melts, warns general
Climate warming is melting ice in the Far North, increasing access to resources under the Arctic seabed. Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, in an interview, emphasizes that "the Russians dominate this area."
Global warming is making the Northern Sea Route (a seasonal maritime route in the Russian part of the Arctic) and the Northwest Passage (a route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans) accessible for shipping for longer periods.
Therefore, their value is constantly increasing for Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, especially regarding military and trade plans. Additionally, the Arctic is rich in natural resources such as natural gas, and the surrounding waters are abundant in fish.
Russia recognized the potential of the Arctic long ago. The Kremlin spends 5 to 6 percent of its gross domestic product on securing interests related to the Northern Sea Route.
"The Northern Sea is now a direct gateway to world markets. We must ensure a significant increase in freight transport through the sea route to implement the tasks assigned by Russia's president," emphasizes Nikolai Patrushev, an advisor to Vladimir Putin.
General warns against Russia. "The Russians dominate there"
Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak emphasizes that "the Russians dominate this area, and no one can threaten these maritime routes".
"This is a route over which the Russians have complete control. They will dictate the conditions of transport through the northern route. If anything bad happens in South Asia, Northeast Asia, or the Middle East and these routes start to close, which is very likely, then the Russians will control deliveries to Europe from China," emphasizes the general.
USNI News previously reported that Russia plans to expand its current fleet of over 50 icebreakers with a "flotilla" of nuclear-powered ships by 2030 to keep the Northern Sea Route open for a longer shipping season.
