Security

Russia’s Northern Sea Route now sees 50 shadow‑fleet oil tankers and 18 LNG carriers, with 75 % of oil and 40 % of LNG vessels under sanctions. The EU will bar Russian LNG imports from 2027. On 22 September Greenland, Denmark and the U.S. signed a defence pact that upgrades U.S. activity at Pituffik Space Base and names Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig as future defence sites, subject to further mutual agreement and parliamentary ratification.

Canada announced $85.5 million from the Arctic Infrastructure Fund to rehabilitate Rankin Inlet Airport’s runway, taxiways, and apron, adding to earlier National Trade Corridors Fund and Department of National Defence investment. The upgrade covers roughly 141,000 sqm of pavement, including Runway 13‑31 and Taxiways A and C, and strengthens both civilian transport and Canadian Armed Forces readiness in Nunavut.

Russian activity in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago—probes of undersea cables, establishment of a branch of the Russian Geographical Society, and other hybrid tactics—has raised concerns that Moscow could test NATO’s Article 5. Oslo is boosting naval and surveillance assets and developing local evacuation plans, while Svalbard remains bound by the 1920 treaty that bars military use.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a permanent agreement at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22 that modernizes Pituffik Space Force Base, establishes new defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, prohibits non‑NATO bases, requires U.S. consent for certain foreign investments, and obliges the U.S. to award defense‑related contracts to Greenlandic sources. The deal contains no expiration and imposes no direct cost on the U.S. public.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the Russian threat is moving further north toward the Arctic Circle, noting that Arctic security threats have shifted significantly, and Canada remains engaged with the United States on Arctic security.

Operation Arctic Vanguard, a NORAD‑led multinational air defence exercise, saw pilots from Canada, the United States and Denmark conduct joint training off Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq air base. Canadian reporter Regan Burden joined a CC‑130 Hercules flight to discuss northern defence duties.

During the Arctic Shield 2026 exercise, more than 400 NATO personnel from 11 nations trained across southern Greenland. Denmark’s Home Guard Special Support and Reconnaissance Company patrolled alongside Swedish and French forces, moving from concealed positions while helicopters and drones searched from above.

U.S. Northern Command plans to sign an agreement with its European and Pacific counterparts to enhance coordination and close security seams in the Arctic.

Sergei Khabarov, 74, head of intensive‑care at Kotlas City Hospital in Arkhangelsk region, has left his post to join a volunteer medical unit for the “special military operation,” amid reported staff shortages in Northern Russia. The former hospital chief, Khizri Ilyasov, who stepped down as chief in April, posted a photo of the doctor and has been encouraging other volunteers.

The first Arctic trial by NATO’s Task Force X was held off Iceland in June and July 2026 aboard the Research Vessel Alliance to test all integrated components.