Russia Targets Svalbard in Arctic Power Grab, Plans to Rename It “Pomor Islands”

Russian lawmaker Sergey Mironov has proposed renaming Svalbard to the “Pomor Islands,” invoking historical ties to justify the move. Mironov argued that Russia must defend its strategic and historical interests in the Arctic — including through symbolic changes like altering geographic names.

The Arctic is a critical region for Russia, where the Kremlin has been steadily expanding its presence in recent years. Russia leads the world in the number of icebreakers, remains the only country building nuclear-powered icebreakers, and is currently the only nation expanding its military presence in the Arctic. UNITED24 Media has published three reports on the topic, detailing Russia’s construction of military bases in the country’s north, the expansion of its submarine fleet, and the development of specialized weapons designed to operate in the harsh Arctic climate.

Russia’s efforts to increase its influence in the region stem from two primary motives: logistics and resources. The Arctic shipping route is twice as fast for transporting goods from China to Europe compared to the Suez Canal. Additionally, 22% of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas reserves are believed to lie beneath the Arctic ice—ice that could dramatically shrink or even disappear within the next two decades. So, where does Svalbard fit in?

Svalbard archipelago and the “Pomor Islands”

The Pomors were an ancient group of Russian fishermen and hunters who lived along the northern coasts of Russia. Historical accounts suggest they began visiting Svalbard as early as the 18th century. However, the first recorded discovery of the archipelago is credited to Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz, who reached it in 1596. Barentsz named the main island Spitsbergen, meaning “jagged peaks” in Dutch — a reference to the region’s rugged peaks. The broader name Svalbard (Svalbarð), meaning “cold shores” in Old Norse, was first mentioned in Icelandic sagas but only officially adopted by Norway in the 20th century.

For many years, the archipelago remained unclaimed; no indigenous population lived there. As a result, Svalbard became the subject of disputes and negotiations until 1920, when, following World War I, several countries reached an agreement: sovereignty over the archipelago would be granted to Norway. This agreement became known as the Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty). It came into force in 1925 and was signed by around 50 countries — including Russia.

A century later, Russia is changing its rhetoric. The lawmaker’s proposal to rename the islands the “Pomor Islands” — framed as a historical reference — may just be the beginning. The Kremlin has a well-documented pattern of supporting ideas that initially seem unserious or marginal.

Military bases on Svalbard

One of the key provisions of the Svalbard Treaty is the prohibition of military bases on the archipelago. Nevertheless, the Kremlin — always searching for new ways to pressure European nations — has begun using destabilizing rhetoric. Russian State Duma member Andrey Gurulyov has openly called for establishing military facilities on Svalbard, according to the Barents Observer. He expressed no concern that such actions would directly violate the 1925 international agreement.

For Russia, Svalbard is clearly a strategically important asset in the Arctic. The island hosts an airstrip capable of supporting aviation operations, as well as port infrastructure suitable for various types of vessels. Russia, which is already expanding its Arctic presence through disputes over the Lomonosov and Mendeleev Ridges, is now signaling its next target — Svalbard.

Russia is also leveraging soft power tactics. In the abandoned settlement of Pyramiden, Moscow plans to establish a research center and has invited BRICS countries to participate. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Russia officially classifies Norway as an unfriendly nation.

These actions serve as yet another means of exerting pressure — on Norway specifically, but also on Europe, Canada, and the United States. For Ukraine, which has experienced Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea, the risks of such actions are all too familiar. Russia’s growing military presence in the region once again demonstrates one thing: the Kremlin never acts without a calculated purpose.