BRICS+ Series: Rosatom's 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' Sets Sail for the North Pole
Murmansk, Russia – On 13 August 2025, Rosatom's sixth international Arctic expedition, the Icebreaker of Knowledge, departed from Murmansk on a landmark journey through the High North. Organised by the Atomic Energy Information Centres network with the support of Rosatom, the voyage honours two major anniversaries: the 80th year of Russia's nuclear industry and the 500th year since the opening of the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
The nuclear-powered vessel will travel from Murmansk via the North Pole to Franz Josef Land before returning to Murmansk on 22 August, coinciding with the State Flag Day of the Russian Federation. Expedition organisers expect to reach the Pole on 17 August.
Science, Education, and the Arctic Experience
Far more than a polar sightseeing trip, the Icebreaker of Knowledge is a scientific and educational programme that brings together Russian and international experts in atomic energy, space technologies, and environmental science. Participants will tour the nuclear icebreaker's operational facilities, witness the Arctic's unique landscapes, and even walk the world's shortest 'round-the-world' route at the Pole—where all Earth's meridians converge. For the first time, Russian-built rovers will be tested in the severe polar environment.
This year's participants include 66 schoolchildren from 21 countries—among them Brazil, Bolivia, Egypt, Indonesia, China, and South Africa. For many, it will be their first visit to the northernmost point on Earth. South African student Nell Isabella Eileen described the trip as 'dream worthy' and beyond anything she could have imagined. 'I know I am going to see and learn things I never would have dreamed of or known before,' she said.
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A Gathering of Experts
Alongside the young explorers are scientists, engineers, cosmonauts, educators, and science communicators. Notable figures include Topan Setiadipura, Head of the Reactor Technologies Research Center at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency; Suang Trung Le, Director of the Nuclear Physics Center at Vietnam's Institute of Atomic Energy; and Andrey Babkin, Deputy Commander of the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Team.
In a send-off address, Grigory Gurov, head of the Youth Affairs Federal Agency, likened the experience of visiting the North Pole to going into space. 'Joining Rosatom's international Arctic expedition on a nuclear icebreaker is a truly unique opportunity,' he said, noting the record competition for places: over 1,400 applicants per slot, with more than 63,000 Russian and 4,000 foreign candidates vying to join.
Yakov Antonov, Director General of Atomflot, stressed the voyage's symbolic value in Russia's long Arctic tradition. 'Russia is the only country in the world that has a nuclear icebreaker fleet,' he said. 'I am sure that on the Icebreaker of Knowledge voyage, schoolchildren will be inspired by the vastness of the Arctic and will become new discoverers, creators of breakthrough technologies.'
Promoting Science and Nurturing Talent
The Icebreaker of Knowledge is part of a broader Rosatom initiative to promote STEM education, nuclear technology awareness, and youth career development. Participants are selected through multi-stage national and international competitions, including the 'Main Recess' challenge, the Sirius educational programme, and the Russian intellectual game championship Knowledge. Game.
In its six seasons, the project has introduced more than 400 talented students to Arctic exploration. The 2024 expedition was the first to welcome an international cohort, with participants from 15 countries. This year's edition expands that to 21 nations, including record numbers from Kyrgyzstan, India, and Bangladesh.
The Northern Sea Route at 500
The NSR, the Arctic shipping corridor connecting Europe to the Asia-Pacific, has been central to Russia's maritime heritage since 1525, when diplomat Dmitry Gerasimov proposed its use for trade with China. In 2025, Russia marks five centuries of exploration and development of this strategic route, which today serves as a vital transport artery for the country's economy and Arctic communities.
Rosatom's Atomflot operates the world's only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers—currently eight vessels—ensuring year-round navigation along the NSR.
Image: Internal
Russia's Nuclear Industry at 80
The expedition also coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear sector. The Soviet Union pioneered peaceful nuclear energy, launching the world's first nuclear power plant in Obninsk in 1954 and commissioning the first nuclear icebreaker, Lenin, in 1960. Today, Rosatom's reach extends far beyond power generation to include nuclear medicine, advanced materials, and Arctic logistics.
The corporation is marking the anniversary year with the theme pride, inspiration, and dream. A series of celebratory events will culminate in the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow this autumn.
As the Icebreaker of Knowledge cuts its way through the Arctic ice, it carries with it not only the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers, but also the weight of centuries of Russian polar heritage—and the ambitions of a nuclear industry looking firmly to the future.
**Gillian Schutte is an award-winning South African filmmaker, journalist, author, poet, and critical race theorist. She writes from an anti-imperialist perspective on African sovereignty and global geopolitics—particularly Russia's role in the multipolar world—and has reported extensively on mining injustices, decolonial struggles, regime change politics, and media capture.
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IOL News
3 days ago
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BRICS+ Series: Rosatom's 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' Sets Sail for the North Pole
Image: Internal Murmansk, Russia – On 13 August 2025, Rosatom's sixth international Arctic expedition, the Icebreaker of Knowledge, departed from Murmansk on a landmark journey through the High North. Organised by the Atomic Energy Information Centres network with the support of Rosatom, the voyage honours two major anniversaries: the 80th year of Russia's nuclear industry and the 500th year since the opening of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The nuclear-powered vessel will travel from Murmansk via the North Pole to Franz Josef Land before returning to Murmansk on 22 August, coinciding with the State Flag Day of the Russian Federation. Expedition organisers expect to reach the Pole on 17 August. Science, Education, and the Arctic Experience Far more than a polar sightseeing trip, the Icebreaker of Knowledge is a scientific and educational programme that brings together Russian and international experts in atomic energy, space technologies, and environmental science. Participants will tour the nuclear icebreaker's operational facilities, witness the Arctic's unique landscapes, and even walk the world's shortest 'round-the-world' route at the Pole—where all Earth's meridians converge. For the first time, Russian-built rovers will be tested in the severe polar environment. This year's participants include 66 schoolchildren from 21 countries—among them Brazil, Bolivia, Egypt, Indonesia, China, and South Africa. For many, it will be their first visit to the northernmost point on Earth. South African student Nell Isabella Eileen described the trip as 'dream worthy' and beyond anything she could have imagined. 'I know I am going to see and learn things I never would have dreamed of or known before,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A Gathering of Experts Alongside the young explorers are scientists, engineers, cosmonauts, educators, and science communicators. Notable figures include Topan Setiadipura, Head of the Reactor Technologies Research Center at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency; Suang Trung Le, Director of the Nuclear Physics Center at Vietnam's Institute of Atomic Energy; and Andrey Babkin, Deputy Commander of the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Team. In a send-off address, Grigory Gurov, head of the Youth Affairs Federal Agency, likened the experience of visiting the North Pole to going into space. 'Joining Rosatom's international Arctic expedition on a nuclear icebreaker is a truly unique opportunity,' he said, noting the record competition for places: over 1,400 applicants per slot, with more than 63,000 Russian and 4,000 foreign candidates vying to join. Yakov Antonov, Director General of Atomflot, stressed the voyage's symbolic value in Russia's long Arctic tradition. 'Russia is the only country in the world that has a nuclear icebreaker fleet,' he said. 'I am sure that on the Icebreaker of Knowledge voyage, schoolchildren will be inspired by the vastness of the Arctic and will become new discoverers, creators of breakthrough technologies.' Promoting Science and Nurturing Talent The Icebreaker of Knowledge is part of a broader Rosatom initiative to promote STEM education, nuclear technology awareness, and youth career development. Participants are selected through multi-stage national and international competitions, including the 'Main Recess' challenge, the Sirius educational programme, and the Russian intellectual game championship Knowledge. Game. In its six seasons, the project has introduced more than 400 talented students to Arctic exploration. The 2024 expedition was the first to welcome an international cohort, with participants from 15 countries. This year's edition expands that to 21 nations, including record numbers from Kyrgyzstan, India, and Bangladesh. The Northern Sea Route at 500 The NSR, the Arctic shipping corridor connecting Europe to the Asia-Pacific, has been central to Russia's maritime heritage since 1525, when diplomat Dmitry Gerasimov proposed its use for trade with China. In 2025, Russia marks five centuries of exploration and development of this strategic route, which today serves as a vital transport artery for the country's economy and Arctic communities. Rosatom's Atomflot operates the world's only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers—currently eight vessels—ensuring year-round navigation along the NSR. Image: Internal Russia's Nuclear Industry at 80 The expedition also coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear sector. The Soviet Union pioneered peaceful nuclear energy, launching the world's first nuclear power plant in Obninsk in 1954 and commissioning the first nuclear icebreaker, Lenin, in 1960. Today, Rosatom's reach extends far beyond power generation to include nuclear medicine, advanced materials, and Arctic logistics. The corporation is marking the anniversary year with the theme pride, inspiration, and dream. A series of celebratory events will culminate in the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow this autumn. As the Icebreaker of Knowledge cuts its way through the Arctic ice, it carries with it not only the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers, but also the weight of centuries of Russian polar heritage—and the ambitions of a nuclear industry looking firmly to the future. **Gillian Schutte is an award-winning South African filmmaker, journalist, author, poet, and critical race theorist. She writes from an anti-imperialist perspective on African sovereignty and global geopolitics—particularly Russia's role in the multipolar world—and has reported extensively on mining injustices, decolonial struggles, regime change politics, and media capture.
eNCA
23-07-2025
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The eye-opening science of close encounters with polar bears
LONGYEARBYEN - It's a pretty risky business trying to take a blood sample from a polar bear -- one of the most dangerous predators on the planet -- on an Arctic ice floe. First, you have to find it and then shoot it with a sedative dart from a helicopter before a vet dares approach on foot to put a GPS collar around its neck. Then the blood has to be taken and a delicate incision made into a layer of fat before it wakes. All this with a wind chill of up to minus 30C. For the last four decades experts from the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) have been keeping tabs on the health and movement of polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Like the rest of the Arctic, global warming has been happening there three to four times faster than elsewhere. AFP | Olivier MORIN But this year the eight scientists working from the Norwegian icebreaker Kronprins Haakon are experimenting with new methods to monitor the world's largest land carnivore, including for the first time tracking the PFAS "forever chemicals" from the other ends of the Earth that finish up in their bodies. An AFP photographer joined them on this year's eye-opening expedition. - Delicate surgery on the ice - With one foot on the helicopter's landing skid, vet Rolf Arne Olberg put his rifle to his shoulder as a polar bear ran as the aircraft approached. Hit by the dart, the animal slumped gently on its side into a snowdrift, with Olberg checking with his binoculars to make sure he had hit a muscle. If not, the bear could wake prematurely. "We fly in quickly," Oldberg said, and "try to minimise the time we come in close to the bear... so we chase it as little as possible." After a five- to 10-minute wait to make sure it is asleep, the team of scientists land and work quickly and precisely. AFP | Olivier MORIN They place a GPS collar around the bear's neck and replace the battery if the animal already has one. Only females are tracked with the collars because male polar bears -- who can grow to 2.6 metres -- have necks thicker than their heads, and would shake the collar straight off. Olberg then made a precise cut in the bear's skin to insert a heart monitor between a layer of fat and the flesh. "It allows us to record the bear's body temperature and heart rate all year," NPI researcher Marie-Anne Blanchet told AFP, "to see the energy the female bears (wearing the GPS) need to use up as their environment changes." The first five were fitted last year, which means that for the first time experts can cross-reference their data to find out when and how far the bears have to walk and swim to reach their hunting grounds and how long they rest in their lairs. The vet also takes a biopsy of a sliver of fat that allows researchers to test how the animal might stand up to stress and "forever chemicals", the main pollutants found in their bodies. AFP | Olivier MORIN "The idea is to best represent what bears experience in the wild but in a laboratory," said Belgian toxicologist Laura Pirard, who is testing the biopsy method on the mammals. - Eating seaweed - It has already shown that the diet of Svalbard's 300 or so bears is changing as the polar ice retreats. The first is that they are eating less seals and more food from the land, said Jon Aars, the lead scientist of the NPI's polar bear programme. "They still hunt seals, but they also take eggs and reindeer -- they even eat (sea)grass and things like that, even though it provides them with no energy." But seals remain their essential food source, he said. "Even if they only have three months to hunt, they can obtain about 70 percent of what they need for the entire year during that period. That's probably why we see they are doing okay and are in good condition" despite the huge melting of the ice. AFP | Olivier MORIN But if warming reduces their seal hunting further, "perhaps they will struggle", he warned. "There are notable changes in their behaviour... but they are doing better than we feared. However, there is a limit, and the future may not be as bright." "The bears have another advantage," said Blanchet, "they live for a long time, learning from experience all their life. That gives a certain capacity to adapt." - Success of anti-pollution laws - Another encouraging discovery has been the tentative sign of a fall in pollution levels. With some "bears that we have recaptured sometimes six or eight times over the years, we have observed a decrease in pollutant levels," said Finnish ecotoxicologist Heli Routti, who has been working on the programme for 15 years. "This reflects the success of regulations over the past decades." AFP | Olivier MORIN NPI's experts contribute to the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) whose conclusions play a role in framing regulations or bans on pollutants. "The concentration of many pollutants that have been regulated decreased over the past 40 years in Arctic waters," Routti said. "But the variety of pollutants has increased. We are now observing more types of chemical substances" in the bears' blood and fatty tissues. These nearly indestructible PFAS or "forever chemicals" used in countless products like cosmetics and nonstick pans accumulate in the air, soil, water and food. Experts warn that they ultimately end up in the human body, particularly in the blood and tissues of the kidney or liver, raising concerns over toxic effects and links to cancer.
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In Norway's Arctic, meteorologists have a first-row seat to climate change
In the cold of the Norwegian Arctic, meteorologist Trond Robertsen manually recorded precipitation levels for over two decades, witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change. At 66, Robertsen retired after enduring spartan conditions during missions that totalled eight years on two islands of the Svalbard archipelago: Bjornoya (Bear Island) and Hogen. To reach the remote Bjornoya, where the only humans are the nine employees of the small weather station, the meteorologists have to fly in by helicopter as they are rotated on a six-month basis. "The idea is to not stay too long, because it's a different rhythm, and you are isolated," Robertsen told AFP. It is demanding work. "It's a 24/7 occupation," he said. "We are doing it all day, all night." The team worked shifts to cover all hours of the day, he explained. AFP | Olivier MORIN Weather observation starts in the early morning at 6:00 am. "It's manually done, then you have to go outside and check the bucket that is collecting precipitation," said Robertsen. "During wintertime you have to melt the snow and ice into water" to determine how much has fallen. The data is then transmitted the Norwegian Meteorological Institute in Tromso and Oslo. "This tiny little observation is actually quite crucial for the weather forecasting systems up north, because observations are so sparse from that area." Bjornoya sits in the middle of fishing grounds, and the weather reports published twice a day are closely followed by the fishing boats in the area. - Less ice, fewer bears - Since his first missions to the Arctic in the 1990s, Robertsen has witnessed the changing climate. "When I started going up north, there was a lot of ice. In the later years, it's less ice and fewer polar bears. You can see the climate change," he said. Polar bears have been classified as a vulnerable population since 1982 on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species, with the loss of Arctic sea ice the most pressing threat against the species. However, their precise numbers, are almost impossible to assess. AFP | Olivier MORIN In winter, employees of station always venture out in pairs and have to be armed due to the presence of polar bears, but according to Robertsen it's rarer to encounter them today. In April, during his last mission to the island, Robertsen had an accident while doing carpentry: he slipped and ended up cutting one finger clean off and half of another. Due to tough weather conditions, he had to wait some 26 hours before being evacuated by helicopter and transported to a hospital. "It was a heavy snowstorm coming in, only the day after the helicopter came," he recounted. Looking back, Robertsen does not regret the years spent under the austere living conditions. "The Arctic has given me so many experiences and memories so it is a small fee to pay back with my left little finger and part of my ring finger," he said. By Olivier Morin With Johanna Wastfelt In Stockholm
