Related content
Reuters: Russia trained with new secret weapon near Svalbard
In the spring, Russian submarines simulated the deployment of new technology designed to disable critical undersea cables near Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. However, the Russian exercise was exposed and thwarted by Norway, the UK and the US, anonymous Western officials told Reuters.
More specifically, the exercise was reportedly conducted by Russia's Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research (GUGI).
In April, the UK and Norway announced that they had been monitoring Russian submarines from the Kola Peninsula that attempted to map underwater infrastructure in the North Atlantic. The discovery of the new weapon near Svalbard and the US involvement have not been previously reported.
Norway eases self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance in the High North
Norway has eased restrictions that previously prevented allied surveillance aircraft from tracking Russian nuclear submarines operating out of bases on the Kola Peninsula, reports the Barents Observer.
The change means that allies can now operate closer to Norwegian areas than before, provided the missions are coordinated with Norwegian authorities.
The adjustment comes in response to an increased allied need for situational awareness in the Barents Sea and a more challenging security environment in the High North.
Norwegian authorities emphasize that operations will remain controlled and predictable.
Russia builds ninth Yasen M-class submarine
Last week, construction of Murmansk, the ninth nuclear submarine of the Yasen M class, began at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, reports the Russian state news agency TASS.
The Russian Navy currently operates five Yasen M-class submarines. In addition to Murmansk, three more submarines of this class are under construction. These will become part of the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet.
The submarines are armed with the Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles and may in the future be equipped with the Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile, TASS writes.
Russia announces new Arctic oil discovery
Russian energy major Gazprom Neft has discovered a new oil field on the Yamal Peninsula that is the largest discovered in the region in three decades, according to a company release.
The new find is located in the Arctic zone of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, home to the world's largest natural gas reserves but also a region with significant oil potential. Drilling and exploration are challenging as the peninsula is almost entirely covered by permafrost.
The field is part of a large oil and gas cluster in the southern part of the peninsula, according to the company. It was discovered after three years of exploration. Estimated geological reserves are 55 million tons, the company's press release stated.
Russian researcher accused of treason
The Russian researcher Alexey Dudarev was arrested on January 14th in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is accused of treason and could face life in prison.
Dudarev works as a senior researcher at the Northwestern Scientific Center for Hygiene and Public Health in St. Petersburg. He has published extensive research in both Russian and international journals for several years.
According to First Department, a group of independent Russian human rights lawyers in exile, the indictment is based on Dudarev’s open publications in international journals under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), of which he was a co-author. The programme is part of the Arctic Council, in which Russia also participates.
Investigators claim that information from these articles could be useful for Norwegian intelligence. Dudarev denies the charges, and his family says he has never had access to state secrets.