Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in 2025 that NATO countries' increased military activity in the Arctic poses a serious security threat to Moscow and raises the risk of armed conflict. ^[1] Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on Tuesday that the Arctic is being turned into a zone of military confrontation by countries of the North Atlantic Alliance. ^[2] China is increasing its interest in the Arctic due to natural resources, energy projects, and new trade routes, describing itself as a 'near-Arctic state' and focusing on economic and energy cooperation with Russia. ^[3] Russia has the most extensive military infrastructure in the Arctic, including the Northern Fleet with nuclear-capable submarines, and has built military bases, airfields, radar systems, and ports along the Arctic coast. ^[4] Russia is developing the Northern Sea Route, which is expected to become more usable as ice melts, offering an alternative shipping route between Asia and Europe, to increase economic revenues and strengthen its strategic position. ^[5] Alexander Grushko observed provocative actions posed by the flights of strategic bombers in the Arctic. ^[6] Alexander Grushko reported registering a large number of military drills in the Arctic region. ^[7] Alexander Grushko stated that NATO has launched a military initiative called 'Arctic Sentry'. ^[8]