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‘Men of Steel’: How Russia’s National Guard Secures the Far North
‘Men of Steel’: How Russia’s National Guard Secures the Far North
Arctic.ru: Discover how Russia implements its development goals in the Arctic and the Far East
2026-07-30T10:00
2026-07-30T10:00
2026-07-30T10:00
military security
murmansk region
russian guard
/img/07ea/07/17/1633324_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_bfbab273683340c988d9d2c475ad0059.jpg
The Russian Arctic is a region of strategic interests for the country, with infrastructure and tourism booming across its vast expanse. Among those tasked with keeping the northern latitudes safe are the officers of Russia’s National Guard.Dmitry Salikhov, head of the National Guard Directorate for the Murmansk Region and a Police Major General, sat down with our portal to discuss the skills required for working in this unforgiving environment, and why his ranks include divers and climbers.All missions carried out by National Guard officers in the North are considered high priority, with energy and fuel infrastructure under especially close watch. The Kola Nuclear Power Plant – the first nuclear facility built in the harsh Arctic climate and the northernmost nuclear power plant in Europe – receives particular attention.Such critical work above the Arctic Circle demands seamless coordination with all federal executive bodies. The National Guard maintains especially close ties with the Ministry of the Interior.“We ensure security across the entire Kola Peninsula,” said Salikhov. “We’re deployed alongside virtually every agency, but most often, of course, with the Interior Ministry.”He added that the Guard also works actively with the Federal Security Service, including its Border Service, on counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts.Reaching remote outpostsThe Murmansk Region’s rugged terrain – a mix of tundra, forest-tundra, and mountain ranges – dictates specialized equipment and transportation. Units are equipped with all-terrain vehicles, tracked and wheeled snow-and-swamp vehicles, and snowmobiles. Gear is purpose-built for the Arctic, where winter temperatures can plunge below -40 degrees Celsius, and includes insulated jackets, mittens, and specialized footwear.“I’m glad to say this is all domestically developed,” Salikhov noted. “We are fully sovereign and independent of any political fluctuations in material supplies.”Beyond the brutal climate, the difficulty of operating in high latitudes lies in the sheer inaccessibility of many communities. Some remote areas can only be reached by ship or helicopter, and even then, the journey can take days. That’s why the Arctic special forces include both divers and high-altitude specialists, who are called in to protect critical facilities.“Imagine how difficult it is to ensure the safety of an icebreaker fleet in icy waters,” Salikhov said. “These are men of steel, and we are proud of them.”National Guard personnel train constantly, regularly practicing mountain and high-altitude techniques and honing parachute-free landing skills.“You can’t just complete a training course, descend down a rope, and consider yourself a high-altitude specialist for life,” Salikhov explained. “These skills must be maintained through regular training.”The Arctic boomBecoming a special forces operator requires at least a 9th-grade education for contract military service and 11th-grade for police units, along with top-tier health (fitness category “A”) and a clean criminal record. Candidates for OMON and SOBR units must pass demanding physical fitness tests. But according to Salikhov, psychological resilience and patriotism remain the most critical criteria.Psychologists are embedded within the force, monitoring not only candidate selection but also the internal dynamics of each team. When needed, employees are sent for rehabilitation at National Guard health resorts.Reflecting on the region’s transformation, Salikhov noted that in his three years of service in the Murmansk Region, he has witnessed a dramatic surge in tourist interest in the Arctic.“The Arctic is developing by leaps and bounds,” he said. “The region is becoming increasingly popular, tourist flows are growing, domestic tourism is thriving, and new air routes are being established. The National Guard still has a great deal of work ahead, but working here is truly fascinating.”
https://en.arctic.ru/20260714/1603518.html
2026
Новости
ru-RU
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/img/07ea/07/17/1633324_171:0:2902:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_bb39eba0334134c6dfd99a8a6b9f60f3.jpgmilitary security, murmansk region, russian guard
The Russian Arctic is a region of strategic interests for the country, with infrastructure and tourism booming across its vast expanse. Among those tasked with keeping the northern latitudes safe are the officers of Russia’s National Guard.
Dmitry Salikhov, head of the National Guard Directorate for the Murmansk Region and a Police Major General, sat down with our portal to discuss the skills required for working in this unforgiving environment, and why his ranks include divers and climbers.
All missions carried out by National Guard officers in the North are considered high priority, with energy and fuel infrastructure under especially close watch. The Kola Nuclear Power Plant – the first nuclear facility built in the harsh Arctic climate and the northernmost nuclear power plant in Europe – receives particular attention.
Such critical work above the Arctic Circle demands seamless coordination with all federal executive bodies. The National Guard maintains especially close ties with the Ministry of the Interior.
“We ensure security across the entire Kola Peninsula,” said Salikhov. “We’re deployed alongside virtually every agency, but most often, of course, with the Interior Ministry.”
He added that the Guard also works actively with the Federal Security Service, including its Border Service, on counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts.
Reaching remote outposts
The Murmansk Region’s rugged terrain – a mix of tundra, forest-tundra, and mountain ranges – dictates specialized equipment and transportation. Units are equipped with all-terrain vehicles, tracked and wheeled snow-and-swamp vehicles, and snowmobiles. Gear is purpose-built for the Arctic, where winter temperatures can plunge below -40 degrees Celsius, and includes insulated jackets, mittens, and specialized footwear.
“I’m glad to say this is all domestically developed,” Salikhov noted. “We are fully sovereign and independent of any political fluctuations in material supplies.”
Beyond the brutal climate, the difficulty of operating in high latitudes lies in the sheer inaccessibility of many communities. Some remote areas can only be reached by ship or helicopter, and even then, the journey can take days. That’s why the Arctic special forces include both divers and high-altitude specialists, who are called in to protect critical facilities.
“Imagine how difficult it is to ensure the safety of an icebreaker fleet in icy waters,” Salikhov said. “These are men of steel, and we are proud of them.”
National Guard personnel train constantly, regularly practicing mountain and high-altitude techniques and honing parachute-free landing skills.
“You can’t just complete a training course, descend down a rope, and consider yourself a high-altitude specialist for life,” Salikhov explained. “These skills must be maintained through regular training.”
The Arctic boom
Becoming a special forces operator requires at least a 9th-grade education for contract military service and 11th-grade for police units, along with top-tier health (fitness category “A”) and a clean criminal record. Candidates for OMON and SOBR units must pass demanding physical fitness tests. But according to Salikhov, psychological resilience and patriotism remain the most critical criteria.
Psychologists are embedded within the force, monitoring not only candidate selection but also the internal dynamics of each team. When needed, employees are sent for rehabilitation at National Guard health resorts.
Reflecting on the region’s transformation, Salikhov noted that in his three years of service in the Murmansk Region, he has witnessed a dramatic surge in tourist interest in the Arctic.
“The Arctic is developing by leaps and bounds,” he said. “The region is becoming increasingly popular, tourist flows are growing, domestic tourism is thriving, and new air routes are being established. The National Guard still has a great deal of work ahead, but working here is truly fascinating.”
