Restricted Handling Podcast
Russia's Arctic Threat: Submarines, Sabotage, and Undersea Cables in the High North with Navalist
One Russian submarine can turn the North Atlantic into a hunting ground. Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at [Restricted Handling](https://www.restrictedhandling.com/) (https://www.restrictedhandling.com/) to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Russian submarines, vulnerable undersea cables, and Arctic shipping routes are bringing the High North into sharper focus. Ryan sits down with Dr. Steve Wills, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and navalist at the Center for Maritime Strategy, to explain what is at stake for the United States and its allies. Steve describes a modern Russian cruise missile submarine as an underwater Bismarck: difficult to find, dangerous to pursue, and capable of threatening targets ashore. He explains why Greenland and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap matter, how Arctic conditions complicate cable repairs, and what China wants from a region far from its own coastline. For background on the Russian security and energy institutions behind these issues, explore the [Russia Power Network](https://www.restrictedhandling.com/power-network/russia) (https://www.restrictedhandling.com/power-network/russia). In this episode, we cover: - Undersea cable threats around Svalbard and the difficulty of Arctic repairs - The Northern Sea Route, Russian control, and shadow fleet sanctions evasion - Greenland's military value and the submarine routes into the North Atlantic - Deep-diving Russian submarines, undersea vehicles, and lessons from Ukraine's drone war - China's Arctic energy interests and growing shipbuilding capacity - Canada's icebreakers, shipyards, and practical cooperation with the United States - Life at sea, Cold War naval strategy, and Steve's souvenir from the cruiser Moskva The conversation connects the Arctic's geography to everyday security: the cables carrying data, the ships moving energy, and the naval forces protecting access. Go deeper with Restricted Handling - Explore the [Russia Arsenal Map](https://www.restrictedhandling.com/power-network/russia/arsenal) (https://www.restrictedhandling.com/power-network/russia/arsenal) for related background on missile systems, including the sea-launched Kalibr. - Revisit [What Sanctions Cost Russia, Even When It Finds a Way Around](https://www.restrictedhandling.com/roman-steblivskyi-russia) (https://www.restrictedhandling.com/roman-steblivskyi-russia), our June 29 conversation with Roman Steblivskyi, for more on sanctions enforcement and Russia's shadow fleet. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Russia's underwater threat and introducing Steve Wills • 01:11 Dog sledding and polar bears on Svalbard • 02:14 Life at sea and steel beach picnics • 04:36 Undersea cable threats and difficult Arctic repairs • 07:05 Why the High North matters: resources and shipping • 09:40 The Northern Sea Route and dealing with Russia • 13:16 Russia's shadow fleet and sanctions evasion • 15:25 Greenland, Cold War bases, and Project Iceworm • 18:16 Russian submarines and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap • 21:45 Underwater drones and Russia's deep-sea capabilities • 24:08 U.S. naval reach versus Russia's Northern Fleet • 26:38 What China wants in the Arctic • 29:06 The Arctic risks people overlook • 31:24 Canada, icebreakers, and ship maintenance • 33:30 NATO service and favorite port visits • 36:17 Cold War strategy and Soviet submarine bastions • 37:20 Steve's Moskva souvenir and a Cold War time capsule • 39:17 China's shipbuilding advantage: quantity versus quality About Steve Wills Dr. Steve Wills is a navalist at the Center for Maritime Strategy. He served 20 years as a U.S. Navy officer, with assignments at the Defense Intelligence Agency and NATO. His work focuses on naval strategy, surface warfare, and Cold War naval history. [Steve Wills at the Center for Maritime Strategy](https://centerformaritimestrategy.org/experts/dr-steven-wills/) (https://centerformaritimestrategy.org/experts/dr-steven-wills/) [Restricted Handling](https://www.restrictedhandling.com/) (https://www.restrictedhandling.com/)
