Russian scientists under pressure from intelligence agencies: what is happening in the Arctic

The Russian authorities’ repression of scientists and research organizations weakens Russia’s position in the Arctic and effectively isolates it from international scientific cooperation.

This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

According to intelligence, in 2026, the next international scientific report on the state of the Arctic, which has been prepared every five years since 1991 under the auspices of the Arctic Council, will be published without Russian input. The reason was political decisions and persecution of scientists in Russia itself.

On January 14, security forces in St. Petersburg detained researcher Alexei Dudarev on suspicion of treason. He was collecting and systematizing materials for a future international report.

The scientist studied the impact of toxic pollutants on Arctic ecosystems and the health of the population, including indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic. The data, which was published in open sources until 2022, is now considered potentially dangerous by Russian intelligence services. According to them, this material could have been used by Norwegian intelligence services.

The pressure on researchers was not limited to one case. On February 16, Russian authorities declared the non-profit organization Arktida, which specializes in Arctic research, “undesirable.”

In addition, security forces are putting pressure on teachers and scientists at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University. In parallel, the Russian authorities are waging a campaign against the Norwegian media outlet The Barents Observer, which covers events in the Arctic. The publication’s journalists have been added to lists of “foreign agents”, “terrorists” and “extremists”.

The SZRU notes that the Kremlin’s growing aggressiveness towards any sources of information about the Russian Arctic indicates Moscow’s unwillingness to reveal the real state of affairs in the region. Repression against scientists and the media is becoming a tool for concealing the consequences of Russia’s economic activities in the Arctic.

It was previously reported that Russia is increasing its military presence in the Arctic and preparing a springboard for resource expansion.

Recall that American and Russian officials have identified the Arctic as a possible area for economic cooperation.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , X , Telegram , and Instagram .