The Ukrainian research vessel "Noosphere" is conducting its first Antarctic research mission in the Southern Ocean on behalf of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
For several days now, the icebreaker has been working in the waters around the American Palmer Antarctic Station. U.S. researchers aboard "Noosphere" are carrying out their marine research program.
To commemorate this collaboration, flags of both countries were raised aboard the ship and at the station.
It is worth noting that this is the first such mission not only for "Noosphere" but also for the Ukrainian fleet in general.
"During Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, cooperation with other countries in Antarctica has become increasingly important for us. This is not only our contribution to the advancement of global science and attracting additional funds from foreign partners, but also 'Antarctic diplomacy,' as the icy continent is an important arena of global geopolitics," said Yevhen Dykyi, Director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center.
At the end of this week, "Noosphere" is set to conclude its mission at "Palmer" and, with U.S. colleagues onboard, head to the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base. There, negotiations are scheduled to expand cooperation.
