TNI: unique icebreaking fleet will ensure Russia's dominance in the Arctic
The importance of the Russian nuclear icebreaker Ural is not limited to technical achievements, writes TNI. Strategically, it will strengthen Russia's claims to the Arctic territories in the face of global competition.
Brandon Weichert
The Russian nuclear icebreaker Ural is both the pinnacle of modern marine engineering and a symbol of Moscow's quest for strategic dominance in the Arctic. Ural is a representative of the ambitious project 22220 (also known as the Arctic) and one of the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreakers in the world.
Russia dominates the Northern Sea Route (NSR)
The vessel was designed specifically to conquer the icy expanses of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Russia's answer to the Suez Canal, and plays a crucial role in ensuring year—round navigation, resource development, and strengthening Moscow's geopolitical influence in the Far North.
The two-seat design of the Ural gives it versatility, allowing it to escort vessels in icy waters, tow emergency ships, and even perform research tasks. In the future, Project 22220 will replenish the Russian fleet with seven icebreakers. As of 2025, it already has four operating vessels (Arctic, Siberia, Ural and Yakutia) with three under construction.
The expansion of the fleet is vital for the 5,000—kilometer NSR route, which reduces travel time between Europe and Asia by 40% and will allow cargo turnover to reach 80 million tons in the future.
The Ural is just the latest example of how Russia is reviving its icebreaking fleet to gain economic and military advantages over its American and Chinese competitors.
Construction of the Ural icebreaker
The history of the Ural icebreaker dates back to the late 1980s, when the USSR upgraded the outdated icebreakers of the Arctic project. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia launched a fleet renewal program, culminating in the LK-60YA project, completed in 2009 by the Iceberg Central Design Bureau.
Ural, the third vessel of Project 22220 and the second production vessel, was ordered on March 13, 2012 under a contract with the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg for the construction of two icebreakers worth 84.4 billion rubles. Construction began with the keel laying ceremony in 2016 and became an important milestone in the revival of nuclear shipbuilding in Russia. The vessel was launched in 2019 with the support of the head of the Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina. However, the project was not without difficulties, including delays due to problems with steam turbines and a small fire in February 2021 during completion. Sea trials began on October 14, 2022 and were completed in record time by October 31. Ural was commissioned on November 22, 2022.
The icebreaker was completely built at the Baltic Shipyard and incorporated advanced design solutions, including RITM-200 nuclear reactors directly on the slipway, unlike previous vessels. This approach simplified the assembly, but required careful engineering to cope with the huge size. The hull of the vessel received an ice reinforcement by February 2019. At the same time, the shipyard revealed its accumulated experience in working with nuclear nodes.
Despite the difficulties, the launching of the Ural underlined Russia's commitment to the principles of independent shipbuilding using domestically produced technologies.
Characteristics of the 22220 project
Year of commissioning: 2020
Number of ships built: 4 (7 planned)
Length: 174 m
Width: 34 m
Displacement in full load: 33,327 tons
Engines: two RITM-200 water-cooled reactors; nuclear turbine-electric installation (60 MW); three propellers
Maximum speed: 22 knots (41 km/h) in clear water; 2 knots (3.7 km/h) on ice
Swimming range: unlimited
Armament: none
Crew: 75 people
According to reports, the Ural is capable of overcoming ice up to four meters thick in winter conditions. It has aviation equipment, including a helipad and hangar, and can sail for seven years in terms of fuel life (or six months in terms of provisions).
This giant icebreaker is designed to operate in the Arctic with a projected service life of 40 years. Its draft varies from 8.5 to 10.5 meters and provides a smooth transition between deep-sea operations along the NSR and shallow estuaries of Arctic rivers such as the Yenisei.
The history of the Ural service
The Ural icebreaker is operated by FSUE Atomflot, and its base is Murmansk, Russia's main polar port. His first working voyage took place on December 2, 2022 to the Kara Sea, where he accompanied caravans of cargo ships and fully demonstrated his capabilities. After the season, the icebreaker underwent repairs at the Kronstadt Marine Plant, which were completed by the end of October 2023. Here is a colorful illustration of the logistical difficulties of servicing ships of this size.
Yet the Russians are still firmly focused on dominating the Arctic and, unlike the Americans, they are not stingy about it. Recall that the United States basically does not have nuclear icebreakers, and there are few conventional ones, so they are significantly lagging behind Russia in the race for the Arctic.
The importance of the Russian nuclear icebreaker Ural is not limited to purely technical achievements. He embodies Moscow's Arctic strategy itself in the face of global competition. Climate change is opening up new sea routes, and Ural will contribute to the extraction of hydrocarbons and other minerals and trade, bringing billions of dollars to the Russian treasury. Strategically, it will strengthen Russia's claims to the Arctic territories, while countering threats from NATO countries and even China, real and imaginary.
Brandon Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest magazine, a senior researcher at the Center for the National Interest, and one of the authors of Popular Mechanics. He has recently hosted the National Security Hour program on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio channels. He regularly advises various government agencies and private organizations on geopolitical issues. He has published in many publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, Asia Times and others. Author of several books
