The Battle for the Arctic begins: Russia wants the Bear Pass; "From there, they could attack London"

The passage in question is a stretch of sea more than 600 kilometers long between mainland Norway and the Svalbard archipelago.

Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik warned that there is a risk of Russia gaining “control over northern Scandinavia” unless Europe takes decisive action. In an interview with the British newspaper The Times, he emphasized the seriousness of the situation.

He specifically pointed to the advanced weapons systems Russia is developing.

“We know that if they can control the Bear Pass, they can also use hypersonic missiles against NATO. Against London, against Norway, against Denmark,” Sandvik said.

Strategic importance of the Arctic passage

Russia’s Northern Fleet, which has received substantial investment, accounts for around two-thirds of the Russian Navy’s nuclear strike capability and is increasingly expanding its operations into NATO waters in the north.

Sandvik stressed that the Bear Pass, which provides access from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian Sea, is strategically as important as the GIUK Gap (Greenland–Iceland–United Kingdom) to the west, which links the Norwegian Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

The warning comes at a time when the Arctic is becoming an increasingly important strategic region. As melting ice opens new shipping routes and vast reserves of oil and other natural resources become more accessible, growing rivalry among Russia, NATO, China, and the United States is turning the region into an increasingly significant military and commercial arena.

The Arctic Council brings together eight Arctic states: Russia, Canada, United States, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Finland. Of these, five have coastlines on the Arctic Ocean: Russia, Canada, the United States, Denmark (through Greenland), and Norway.

Russia has spent years rebuilding Arctic bases and strengthening its Northern Fleet, while NATO members have also been increasing their military presence in the region.