Putin’s Obsession Is Challenging the Suez Canal Route, Expert Says About Russia’s Arctic Activity

Political analyst and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Musiienko, has said that Russia is intensifying its activity in the Arctic region, meaning NATO must prepare for a potential conflict over the Arctic, Politeka reports.

He shared these views on his blog.

According to the expert, Russia has begun reconstructing the Severomorsk-3 air base and Petrozavodsk Airport as part of its plan to expand the Russian Armed Forces' Arctic airfield network by 2030. In addition, Russia intends to build two new airfields and modernize seven others so they can accommodate all types of long-range transport and naval aviation aircraft on the islands of the Arctic archipelagos.

"I would like to remind you that at the beginning of 2026, in its annual threat assessment, the Norwegian Police Security Service stated that it expects a significant increase in Russian espionage and sabotage activities both on Norwegian territory and across the Arctic region during this year. Finland is facing direct threats as well. It is clear that Russia is increasing its military activity along NATO’s northern flank, which may indicate preparations for a future conflict over the Arctic," Oleksandr Musiienko warned.

He argues that NATO needs Ukraine, and that the Alliance is currently in the process of fully recognizing this reality. Eventually, he believes, all member states will reach a consensus. Military planners at NATO headquarters already understand this, the expert noted. They are actively communicating with Ukraine, seeking cooperation and learning from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, because Russia is preparing aggression not only against the Baltic states and Poland, but also against Finland, the Scandinavian countries, and Northern Europe as a whole.

"Against the backdrop of global warming, the Arctic shipping route is becoming increasingly strategically significant. It is one of Putin’s fixations to challenge the route through the Suez Canal by gaining control over this international maritime corridor and charging substantial fees for its use. That is why it is clear that NATO and Ukraine must unite to counter these ambitions together," Oleksandr Musiienko concluded.

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