The Arctic Debrief

The Arctic Debrief: US Warships conduct first patrol off Russia's coast since 2022

In this edition: US Warships conduct first patrol off Russia's coast since 2022; Finland to improve infrastructure projects to strengthen Arctic security; and Russia announces joint military exercise 'Zapad 2025.'

The Arctic Debrief: US Warships conduct first patrol off Russia's coast since 2022

In this edition:

  • US Warships conduct first patrol off Russia's coast since 2022
  • Finland to improve infrastructure projects to strengthen Arctic security
  • Russia announces joint military exercise 'Zapad 2025'
Latest Developments

US Warships conduct first patrol off Russia's coast since 2022

The USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham are both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers which are equipped with a range of surface-to-air, anti-surface, land-target missiles, and weapons for anti-submarine warfare.

The US Navy has conducted a patrol through the Barents Sea, which is located off of Russia's Northwestern coast, for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The USS Jason Dunham and USS Stout, both US Navy destroyers part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, entered the Barents Sea on October 21 and we're spotted near Norway's coast a week later. The Barents Sea is north of the Kola Peninsula which is host to Russia's nuclear submarine fleet.

The patrol took place just a week before Russia is set to begin its annual strategic nuclear exercise "Grom" in the Barents Sea. Prior to 2022, the area was routinely patrolled by the US Navy, but operations ceased when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Finland to improve infrastructure projects to strengthen Arctic security

A map of the Finnish railroad network, with a noticeable lack of infrastructure in Finland's northernmost region of Lapland.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has noted that improving infrastructure in the country's northernmost region of Lapland is "crucial" and "essential" for Arctic security.

The president noted that the country must improve road, rail, and air infrastructure to ensure the region can be properly defended. A few days earlier Finland and Norway announced that they will work on improving the two nations' cross border rail and road connections for military use.

Since the ascension of Sweden and Finland into NATO, the allies have emphasized the need to improve the Nordics' cross border logistics to prepare for a potential conflict along the Finnish-Russian border. Earlier in the year, Sweden, Norway, and Finland agreed to create an emergency military corridor from Norway's western coast to Finland's eastern border.

Russia announces joint military exercise 'Zapad 2025'

Russian paratroopers partaking in the 'Zapad-2021' joint-military exercise, which is believed to have been an exercise preparing for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has announced that it will be conducting the "Zapad-2025" military exercise in cooperation with the Belarusian army. The exercise takes place in western Russia, alongside the borders of other European nations, including in Russia's western Arctic region.

The last exercise was scheduled for 2023, but was cancelled without any explanation provided by Russia's Ministry of Defense. However, it is speculated that the reason behind the cancellation was due to Russia's severe lack of military equipment and personnel due to its struggles in Ukraine.

The Russian government has continually emphasized the importance of its Arctic region for the country's economic growth, while also highlighting the need to maintain a military presence to protect its interests. As such it is likely that Zapad-2025 will have a greater emphasis on showcasing Russia's capabilities in the northern region.

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