Russia keeps its sea routes open in the Arctic, without success. The Kremlin has moved its eight nuclear icebreakers to keep these sea routes open. It was in November when, in statements collected bythe CEO of the Russian nuclear energy giant, Rosatom, Alexey Likhachevannounced in November that the rollout would begin this month.
As the media says, the mobilization comes at a time when an unexpectedly thick ice has blocked international exports: waterways that connect Siberian oil and gas fields with the Arctic Ocean. Despite great efforts to reach the deposits, most ships fall by the wayside.
In this way, and according to the data consulted by the newspaper, crude oil has plummeted to 43.52 dollars per barrel (about 37 euros in the current conversion), its lowest price since the war with Russia began. Furthermore, meanwhile, export income fell to 11 billion dollars in November (more than 9 billion euros), that is, 3.6 billion less than a year ago.
These limitations of the Russian Navy became more than clear when the ship GNL Buran It made four failed attempts between December 2 and 7 to reach the petrolytic terminal in the Arctic. Sea ice in the Gulf of Ob reached 50 centimeters thick amid temperatures that dipped below -20°C, “earlier and more impenetrable than in previous years.”
In statements collected by the media, Tom Sharpea former British Navy officer, called the deployment “impressive.” “This mobilization shows how vital maritime access to the Russian poles has become and how desperate Putin is to keep it open.” to sustain its war economy.
Furthermore, Western sanctions against Russian companies have slowed the construction of new icebreakers, while some of its best ships are at the end of their useful lives. The accounts are compelling: falling prices, falling incomes, rising costs and an arctic lifeline that freezes when Moscow needs it most.
