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In December 2025, the Russian LNG ship Buran became stuck in ice while traveling to the Utrenny terminal in the Gulf of Ob. After weeks of icebreaker intervention, it reached Murmansk. Sanctions hinder Russia's tanker construction, impacting LNG exports.

Russia operates 85 of the world’s 179 icebreakers, with the Papanin, an armed icebreaker, undergoing trials since July 2024. The Northern Sea Route, crucial for trade between East Asia and Northern Europe, can accommodate over 500 ships annually, with Russia aiming to enhance its safety and security despite the challenging Arctic conditions.