SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia —
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday oversaw the
launch of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker as Russia pushes to develop the
Arctic and seeks new energy markets amid sanctions over Ukraine.
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Addressing a Saint
Petersburg ceremony for the launch of the Yakutia icebreaker by video link,
Putin said such vessels were of “strategic” importance for Russia.
In addition to
floating out the Yakutia, authorities also symbolically raised a flag on
another nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Ural.
The Ural and the
Yakutia are part of a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers that are meant to
ensure Moscow’s dominance over the melting Arctic.
The Russian
president vowed to develop his country’s nuclear fleet despite current
difficulties in
Russia’s economy and production in an apparent reference to
Western sanctions over Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
“We will increase
the capabilities of our nuclear icebreaker fleet,” Putin said.
He said this
should be achieved “using domestic equipment and components”.
The Ural is
expected to become operational in December, while the Yakutia will join the
fleet in late 2024, Putin said.
The vessels are
designed to resist extreme weather conditions in the Far North, have a length
of 173m and can smash through ice up to 2.8m thick.
The Russian leader
said the ships were part of Moscow’s efforts “to consolidate Russia’s status as
a great Arctic power”.
He once again
stressed the importance of developing the so-called Northern Sea Route, which
allows ships to reach Asian ports up to 15 days faster than via the traditional
Suez Canal.
“This very
important corridor will allow Russia to realize its export potential in full,
and establish an effective logistics route to South-East Asia,” Putin said.
Moscow has for
years heavily invested in the route.
But Putin’s
military campaign in Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions have given new
urgency to plans to redirect energy exports to Asia.
Russian industries
have struggled with production in recent months, deprived of key
Western-produced parts due to sanctions.
The vessels are
expected to be a game changer for Russia’s use of the Arctic.
Transit in the
eastern Arctic usually ends in November but Moscow is hoping the icebreakers
will help it make use of the route — becoming more accessible due to climate
change — year-round.
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