Gunfire echoed across an Arctic training ground as officers from the Bear OMON special police unit of the Russian National Guard Directorate for the Murmansk Region carried out tactical exercises. Designed to simulate real combat, their mission was to detect and neutralize a mock enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group.Correspondents from the Arctic and Far East Development website observed the drills and spoke with members of the unit about the challenges of serving in the Arctic.A mock enemy reconnaissance group had been spotted in a wooded area near a strategic facility. After receiving an operational briefing, officers from the Bear OMON unit quickly deployed from their permanent base to the training area. Upon arrival, they took up combat positions and began searching for the simulated saboteurs.The exercise culminated in a combat engagement. After locating the mock sabotage and reconnaissance group, the officers engaged it in a firefight. Following the exchange, all simulated enemy personnel were successfully neutralized.The final stage of the exercise involved live-fire drills using a range of standard-issue weapons. Officers practiced engaging designated targets, with particular emphasis on using unmanned aerial vehicles for battlefield reconnaissance.Following the exercise, the acting commander of the Bear OMON unit told Arctic.ru that all assigned objectives had been successfully completed and that personnel had demonstrated a high level of coordination and professional training.The acting commander also described the unique demands of serving in an Arctic special operations unit. According to him, the Bears’ training focuses primarily on physical fitness, firearms proficiency, and tactical skills.“Above all, physical fitness provides the foundation for successfully carrying out operational tasks. We focus on functional endurance because every officer has to carry a significant load. Excess body weight only gets in the way. That’s why we emphasize stamina, breathing endurance, resilience, and strength. Firearms training and confident weapon handling demonstrate an officer’s readiness to use them.”Every day is a challengeOne of the officers, Alexei, did not join the OMON unit not right away. He has served with the Russian National Guard since 2018 and transferred to the Murmansk unit in March 2022. Moving to the Arctic from Kostroma Region was a deliberate decision.“My wife and I went on a trip to Murmansk. We immediately fell in love with the city. We decided to stay here and continue building our lives.”Selection for the Arctic OMON unit includes physical fitness tests, psychological screening, and a medical examination. Daily training requires constant refinement of professional skills. However, Alexei is used to such a rigorous routine. He especially highlights the camaraderie in their squad.“From the moment I transferred here, my colleagues welcomed me warmly and have always supported me. I enjoy every aspect of the service: the team, the work we do, and the opportunities for professional growth that we can take,” Alexei says.While integrating into the team came naturally, adapting to the Arctic environment took more time.According to Alexei, the region’s polar day and polar night were unusual experiences at first. However, he adjusted himself rather quickly to them.“Now I actually enjoy the polar day more than I don’t,” Alexei says, smiling.Another officer from the Bear OMON unit, Yaroslav, explained that Arctic service requires specialized winter training. During the colder months, officers regularly train on skis and snowmobiles.“For me, every day is a challenge. We deliberately try to make training harder so that real missions feel easier. We train every single day. It’s always interesting because you’re constantly learning something new. And there is no limit to perfection,” he noted.
Gunfire echoed across an Arctic training ground as officers from the Bear OMON special police unit of the Russian National Guard Directorate for the Murmansk Region carried out tactical exercises. Designed to simulate real combat, their mission was to detect and neutralize a mock enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group.
Correspondents from the Arctic and Far East Development website observed the drills and spoke with members of the unit about the challenges of serving in the Arctic.
A mock enemy reconnaissance group had been spotted in a wooded area near a strategic facility. After receiving an operational briefing, officers from the Bear OMON unit quickly deployed from their permanent base to the training area. Upon arrival, they took up combat positions and began searching for the simulated saboteurs.
The exercise culminated in a combat engagement. After locating the mock sabotage and reconnaissance group, the officers engaged it in a firefight. Following the exchange, all simulated enemy personnel were successfully neutralized.
The final stage of the exercise involved live-fire drills using a range of standard-issue weapons. Officers practiced engaging designated targets, with particular emphasis on using unmanned aerial vehicles for battlefield reconnaissance.
Following the exercise, the acting commander of the Bear OMON unit told Arctic.ru that all assigned objectives had been successfully completed and that personnel had demonstrated a high level of coordination and professional training.
The acting commander also described the unique demands of serving in an Arctic special operations unit. According to him, the Bears’ training focuses primarily on physical fitness, firearms proficiency, and tactical skills.
“Above all, physical fitness provides the foundation for successfully carrying out operational tasks. We focus on functional endurance because every officer has to carry a significant load. Excess body weight only gets in the way. That’s why we emphasize stamina, breathing endurance, resilience, and strength. Firearms training and confident weapon handling demonstrate an officer’s readiness to use them.”
Every day is a challenge
One of the officers, Alexei, did not join the OMON unit not right away. He has served with the Russian National Guard since 2018 and transferred to the Murmansk unit in March 2022. Moving to the Arctic from Kostroma Region was a deliberate decision.
“My wife and I went on a trip to Murmansk. We immediately fell in love with the city. We decided to stay here and continue building our lives.”
Selection for the Arctic OMON unit includes physical fitness tests, psychological screening, and a medical examination. Daily training requires constant refinement of professional skills. However, Alexei is used to such a rigorous routine. He especially highlights the camaraderie in their squad.
“From the moment I transferred here, my colleagues welcomed me warmly and have always supported me. I enjoy every aspect of the service: the team, the work we do, and the opportunities for professional growth that we can take,” Alexei says.
While integrating into the team came naturally, adapting to the Arctic environment took more time.
“The Arctic in itself is unpredictable. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so it demands heightened awareness and caution.”
According to Alexei, the region’s polar day and polar night were unusual experiences at first. However, he adjusted himself rather quickly to them.
“Now I actually enjoy the polar day more than I don’t,” Alexei says, smiling.
Another officer from the Bear OMON unit, Yaroslav, explained that Arctic service requires specialized winter training. During the colder months, officers regularly train on skis and snowmobiles.
“For me, every day is a challenge. We deliberately try to make training harder so that real missions feel easier. We train every single day. It’s always interesting because you’re constantly learning something new. And there is no limit to perfection,” he noted.
