Published: June 1, 2026 4:20 pm
Author: RT
RT’s Anastasia Volodina gets a rare look at how the crew of the Yamal lives and works at sea for weeks to keep the Northern Sea Route open
Russia has launched this year’s LNG shipment season (NSR), with its nuclear powered icebreakers clearing paths through Arctic ice to keep the Northern Sea Route open for energy exports.
Russia operates the world’s largest fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers. These massive ships support rapid Arctic development and maintain shipping along the NSR – the shortest sea link between Europe and the Asia Pacific, which is faster than traditional routes via the Suez and Panama canals.
An RT crew boarded Russia’s Yamal – one of the world’s most powerful nuclear icebreakers – for a rare look at how the crew lives and works for weeks at a time. Aboard this floating behemoth, a canteen serving four hot meals a day, a fully equipped gym, a sports court, a sauna, a swimming pool, and a Soviet era library help sailors unwind after long shifts. “Every corner of the ship is designed to keep you sharp, fit, and safe,” RT correspondent Anastasia Volodina reports.
READ MORE: Trump admits Russian icebreaker dominance
Step aboard the Yamal with RT and see what life is really like on one of the ships powering Russia’s Arctic ambitions.
