Russia’s plans to expand its presence on Svalbard by increasing tourist flows are, as usual, turning into another set of empty statements by Kremlin officials. Moscow simply has no means to transport these tourists. This was openly admitted by Ildar Neverov, head of the Arktikugol trust. According to him, Russia is critically short of ice-class passenger vessels needed to implement this strategy.
Last year, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev announced plans to develop infrastructure on the archipelago. The official presented the idea of creating an international scientific and educational center and promised an annual flow of 50,000 tourists by 2040. As usual, this was followed by statements about large-scale infrastructure reconstruction and the development of new tourist routes. However, today all of this either remains in a neglected state or exists only on paper.
The Kremlin’s attempts to present wishful thinking as reality no longer surprise anyone. However, the complete disregard for basic analysis and calculations is striking. The Arktikugol trust itself admits that there has long been a shortage of vessels suitable for operations in high latitudes, and that the situation has worsened significantly since the start of the full-scale invasion and the introduction of international sanctions.
As a result, tourists are currently offered any available options: from cargo and research vessels to small boats and yachts that are theoretically capable of operating during the navigation season. Passenger vessels that meet the requirements of the Polar Code are practically non-existent in Russia’s civilian fleet.
Air routes also remain restricted due to visa limitations and sanctions. As a result, Russian tourists are in no hurry to visit the northern territories. Thus, the Kremlin’s plans to expand its presence in Norway’s territories remain completely unviable due to a lack of equipment, a shortage of technology, and a fundamental inability to manage such projects effectively.
