Russia’s interests in the NSR can be viewed from strategic and geopolitical perspectives. The Arctic was seen as a barrier region, inaccessible through marine transportation with great natural defense capabilities (Mackinder, 1919: 54). Nonetheless, in the 21st Century, the Arctic Ocean is opening to transportation, practically year-round in some parts (Balão, 2016: 133). Indeed, the interest in commercial shipping through the NSR is increasing, which will, according to Bai, “...result in the proliferation of shipping activity in the region” (2015: 698).

An international voyage through the NSR can be reduced by up to 40% when compared to the Suez Canal (Figure 4) (Todorov, 2017: 62). For instance, an international transit through the NSR between the ports of Hamburg (Germany) and Shanghai (China) will save a week of voyage, be risk-free from piracy, and save more than half a million dollars in fuel (Gavrilov, 2015: 256).

Global warming has increased the strategic importance of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (henceforth AZRF) as the recent official Russian documents show: (i) “Foundations of the Russian Federation’s State Policy in the Arctic for the Period to 2035” (Putin, 2020a) (henceforth Arctic Policy); and (ii) “Strategy of Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and the Provision of National Security for the Period to 2035” (Putin, 2020b) (henceforth Arctic Strategy). These documents describe Russian interests in defense, mineral resources, and maritime transportation, as well as environmental, social, and sustainable development issues (Putin, 2020a).

A SHAME FOR 🇷🇺 RUSSIA!
A country contributing to 💥 of our 🌍

WWF International statement on “undesirable” characterisation in Russia
https://perma.cc/K526-VWQB

Greenpeace: Environmental protection is ‘undesirable’ in Russia https://perma.cc/2LAU-7QK2

Perhaps more than any other Arctic country, Russia has much to gain from climate trends in the Arctic https://perma.cc/97ZY-4ZUC

Russia is a very poor performer (“F”) under the VACI, on par with Brazil and Iran. The country has a high animal slaughter rate, large consumption of animal products and inadequate legislative protection of farmed animals https://perma.cc/44UC-DWQ9

Roughly 20,000 reindeer have been poached in Russia since August 2016 https://perma.cc/23CG-N5ZV

30 Greenpeace activists charged with piracy in Russia https://perma.cc/8Y6N-BGRT

Arctic 30 jailed in Russia argue their case in European Court https://perma.cc/U2CD-C4W9

Us vs Them: Sadism and Animal Abuse in Russian Army https://perma.cc/4DUV-85CK

Russia’s forest sector has become deeply criminalized. https://perma.cc/27MJ-4RRR https://perma.cc/7CJT-CCYR

The Government of Russia is urged to formally recognise animals as sentient in legislation, given the scientific evidence which has proven that all vertebrates, cephalopods and decapod crustaceans are sentient. Furthermore, the Government of Russia is strongly encouraged to expand the scope of application of Federal Law No. 498-ФЗ to all animals. The Government of Russia is urged to ban the confinement of farm animals – for instance, in sow stalls and farrowing crates for pigs, and in cages for egg-laying hens – and the Government is urged to mandate the humane slaughter of all farm animals, with stunning prior to slaughter. The Government of Russia is furthermore urged to ban fur farming, which is inherently cruel, causing pain and distress to animals. The Government of Russia is urged to outlaw forms of entertainment which cause animal suffering, such as the use of captive marine mammals in shows for the public. https://perma.cc/S49G-