The Russian technology helping Putin win the race for the Arctic | Geopolitics on Tape | Daily Mail

For all of human history, the Arctic has been an inhospitable, frozen wasteland. But as the ice continues to melt at record speed, this frigid desert is transforming into a new arena for global competition - one that's rich in natural resources, threaded with emerging shipping lanes, and ripe for military expansion. Russia is already well ahead of the competition in both military and commercial efforts, thanks in no small part to its fleet of nuclear icebreakers. These incredible machines are the most powerful non-military vessels ever built, enabling Vladimir Putin's men to go where no one else can. In this episode, MailOnline's Chief Foreign Reporter David Averre investigates what makes these icebreakers so formidable, how they support the Kremlin’s ambitions in the polar frontier, and why this frozen expanse is poised to become the next great battleground for global superpowers. David also speaks with Arctic geopolitics expert and senior analyst at RAND Europe Nicolas Jouan to break down the race for Arctic dominance and what the US under Donald Trump and other Arctic nations must do if they hope to keep pace with Russia - and China - in the years ahead. #russia #icebreakers #arctic #geopolitics #dailymail Daily Mail Website: https://www.dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail Facebook:   / dailymail   Daily Mail IG:   / dailymail   Daily Mail Snap:   / daily-ma.  . Daily Mail Twitter:   / mailonline   Daily Mail Pinterest: https://pinterest.co.uk/dailymail Get the free Daily Mail mobile app: https://dailymail.co.uk/mobile