Russia is making big moves in the Arctic, expanding its oil and gas operations despite global sanctions from its invasion of Ukraine. A new 300-foot extension to a massive hangar in the Arctic highlights Russia's push to use the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for shipping oil and gas to China. This route and its resources are crucial for Russia, not just for energy exports but also for gaining China's support on the international stage. With plans to dramatically boost Arctic oil and gas production, Russia is positioning itself to challenge the U.S. dollar's dominance in global energy markets, making the Arctic a key battleground in geopolitical and economic power plays.

Why the Arctic Sea Route is Vital for Russia and China

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arctic Northern Sea Route (NSR) has become crucial for Russia's oil trade. This route allows Russian oil tankers to travel through the Arctic to reach markets like China. This is especially important to ...