Video: ‘No country in world has power we’ve,’ Russia boasts unrivaled icebreaker supremacy
Abdullateef Fowewe
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russia’s unmatched dominance in icebreaker technology during a recent formal meeting on Arctic capabilities, emphasising the nation’s expanding fleet as a key to future strategic advantages.
“No country in the world has the power that we have in terms of icebreakers, and we’re going even further,” Putin stated in the 92-second video clip circulating widely on social media.
Russia currently operates 34 diesel-powered icebreakers and 8 active nuclear-powered ones—the only country with nuclear vessels of this type—plus two under construction.
Plans include a new icebreaker by 2030 billed as “the strongest, most powerful in the world,” further solidifying Moscow’s lead.
This fleet of over 40 icebreakers dwarfs competitors; the United States, for instance, relies on just two aging diesel models.
The advantage grants Russia superior access to melting Arctic shipping routes, which could cut Asia-Europe transit times by 40% while unlocking vast untapped resources for energy exports and military projection.
