Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that NATO military activities in the Far North increase the risk of incidents that could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Writing in an article titled “International Co-operation in the Arctic: Challenges and Opportunities” published by the Arctic network, Lavrov stated that preserving the Arctic as a zone of peace and co-operation serves the entire international community, affirming that Russia shares this view.
Lavrov explained that NATO launched Operation “Arctic Guardian” in February 2026 to expand its military presence in the Arctic region.
He pointed out that intensive military preparations are taking place very close to Russia’s northern borders, noting that the alliance is conducting large-scale military drills involving non-regional states and introducing new components to its command and control system.
The Russian foreign minister said such military activity poses a direct threat to Russia’s security, warning that it raises the risk of incidents that could trigger armed confrontation with potentially catastrophic fallout.
