Russia Controls Majority of Arctic Land and Economy Russia holds roughly half of Arctic land and half of its exclusive economic zone, and two‑thirds of the region’s residents live there; it also generates about two‑thirds of Arctic GDP despite the Arctic’s tiny share of global output [1].

Military Footprint Expands Across NATO and Russian Territories Public data identify at least 66 Arctic military sites, with 30 located in Russia and 36 in NATO states that possess Arctic coastlines, supplemented by hundreds of smaller installations; the network underpins strategic competition as ice recedes [1].

China Pursues Near‑Arctic Status and Joint Patrols China declared itself a near‑Arctic state in 2018, promotes a polar Silk Road for shipping, and in 2024 joined Russia on a joint Arctic patrol, signaling deeper security cooperation despite lacking territorial claims [1].

New Shipping Lanes Offer Speed but Heighten Environmental Risks The Northern Sea Route now cuts Asia‑Europe voyages to roughly two weeks, while the Northwest Passage records increasing through‑sailings; scientists warn that faster routes accelerate ecosystem damage and threaten Indigenous communities, and Greenland’s mineral wealth remains difficult to exploit due to remote, ice‑bound deposits [1].