Russia, U.S. test rival weapons in Arctic waters.
Tensions are rising in the Arctic, and both Russia and the U.S. are making sure everyone knows what they’re capable of. Over the past couple of weeks, each has staged high-profile weapons tests in the region, turning the far north into a stage for military posturing.
Russian Arctic Show of Force
Russia has been conducting its Zapad 2025 exercises—large-scale drills with Belarus that began on September 12. As part of these, MiG-31 fighter jets armed with hypersonic missiles flew patrols over the Barents Sea.
Around the same time, a Russian frigate test-fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, which Moscow says can travel at nine times the speed of sound and hit targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. Russian media claims it scored a direct hit.
US Counter-Demonstration in Norwegian Waters
Not to be outdone, the U.S. quietly carried out its own demonstration earlier this month. A B-2 stealth bomber, along with Norwegian F-35s, dropped a new type of anti-ship weapon called Quicksink near the coast of Norway. It’s basically a modified 2,000-pound bomb designed to sink ships quickly and affordably.
The test wasn’t announced until a week after it happened, though aviation watchers had already noticed the unusual flight activity.
Arctic as Strategic Battleground
All this is happening against a backdrop of increased Arctic militarization. Russia has been expanding its presence there for years, especially on the Kola Peninsula, where it bases much of its Northern Fleet and nuclear submarines.
NATO members are growing uneasy—recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace didn’t help—and the alliance has responded with increased vigilance of its own.
Meanwhile, the U.S. wrapped up its Arctic Edge 2025 exercises in Alaska in August, practicing how to detect and respond to potential threats from the north.
It’s clear both sides are sharpening their tools and watching each other closely. The Arctic may be cold, but things are definitely heating up.
