The Importance of the Arctic Passageways to Russia

Russia has 16% of the world's untapped oil reserves and 30% of undiscovered natural gas. The two commercial shipping passages in the northwest and the northeast will have many advantages through that region. Russia has now deployed its own version of floating military bases in the Arctic with the icebreaker vessels constantly on the move. China is currently developing special nuclear powered icebreaking vessels to connect Russia's Arctic road initiative with its own Belt and Road initiative.