The third serial universal nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutia embarked on its first regular operational voyage today, navigating the icy waters of the Yenisei region in the Kara Sea, a vital segment of the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

The vessel had arrived at its home port in Murmansk on April 13, following its journey from St. Petersburg.

“Now that the period of ice growth in the Northern Sea Route is drawing to a close, Yakutia will have an excellent opportunity to showcase its core technical strengths—power, maneuverability, and dual-draft capability,” said Yakov Antonov, Acting Director General of FSUE Atomflot, a division of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom.

Built under Russia’s Project 22220, Yakutia measures 173.3 meters in length and 34 meters in width, with dual drafts of 10.5 and 9.03 meters. The icebreaker can reach speeds of up to 22 knots in open water and is capable of breaking through ice up to three meters thick.

The operation of such advanced vessels is critical to the year-round development and sustainability of navigation along the NSR, a strategic shipping lane for Russia’s Arctic ambitions.

Construction continues on additional vessels in the series: the fourth icebreaker Chukotka and fifth Leningrad are currently being built at the Baltic Shipyard. The sixth, Stalingrad, is scheduled to be laid down later this year.

Russia’s expanding nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet underlines its commitment to asserting leadership in the Arctic. The fleet is considered a unique strategic asset, reinforcing the country's competitive edge in polar maritime operations.

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