Shifting Ice: Russia’s Increasing Reliance on the Private Sector and the PRC in the Arctic

In this report, Strider’s Global Intelligence team details the unprecedented levels of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Arctic region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

The ongoing war in Ukraine and persistent geopolitical isolation are forcing Moscow to adjust its strategy to develop and control the Arctic region. As a result, there's a noticeable shift towards increased reliance on companies owned by the PRC and private investments to facilitate the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the infrastructure for energy exploration, processing, and transportation.