The nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy left the port of Murmansk on August 13, embarking on the special voyage.
The expedition follows a route from Murmansk, through the North Pole to Franz Josef Land, before returning to Murmansk. The expedition is scheduled to reach the North Pole on August 17 and return to Murmansk on August 22, coinciding with the State Flag Day of the Russian Federation.
The journey features 66 outstanding students from 21 countries alongside scientists, engineers, specialists in the nuclear and space industries, well-known bloggers and science popularisers, as well as cosmonauts.
The Vietnamese representative attending the journey is Nguyen Nam Son, a 10th grader from Tran Phu-Hoan Kiem High School in Ha Noi, who won a top prize in the “Nuclear Energy for Peace” competition.
This opportunity allows him to discover new lands and demonstrate the Vietnamese youth’s aspiration and determination to acquire knowledge and conquer the world.
The Arctic expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge” has been held annually in August since 2019 by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation.
The programme is designed for scientists, teachers, and young people aged 14–16 who have achieved outstanding achievements in competitions on nuclear energy for peace, as well as events at the World Youth Festival.
The Vietnamese representative attending the journey is Nguyen Nam Son, a 10th grader from Tran Phu-Hoan Kiem High School in Ha Noi, who won a top prize in the “Nuclear Energy for Peace” competition.
This year’s voyage commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the development of the Northern Sea Route.
Forty-six Russian students and 20 international students from 20 countries were selected through competitive rounds to participate.
The 50 Let Pobedy was built by the Baltic Shipyard, part of Russia’s Nuclear Energy Corporation. It is the most advanced version of the historic icebreaker “Arktika,” which transported Russian and international scientists to the Arctic over half a century ago.
Launched in 1993, the vessel measures over 159 metres in length and more than 30 metres in width, featuring a spoon-shaped bow for efficient icebreaking.
It is equipped with two nuclear reactors, achieving a maximum speed of 21.4 knots (39.6 km/h) and capable of breaking through ice up to 5 metres thick. Its digital control system, nuclear safety measures, and advanced biological protection ensure all operations comply with the standards of the Russian National Technical Supervision Agency.
Besides opening sea routes for cargo ships along the Northern Sea, the 50 Let Pobedy also serves scientific expeditions and tourism, contributing to the sustainable development of the polar region.
