The Russian part of Svalbard is a unique place that exists beyond, and perhaps even against, conventional norms. The Arctic settlements of Barentsburg, Grumant, and Pyramiden are situated in the Norwegian archipelago, operating under a unique legal status. While they no longer mine coal today, they are still alive — science and tourism have laid the foundation for sustaining a Russian presence in the Western Arctic Ocean. To celebrate Barentsburg's centenary, exhibitions, seminars, and scientific lectures were held in Murmansk, St. Petersburg, and Moscow by travelers and scientists, discussing the challenging, significant, and highly promising role that Svalbard is yet to play.

For researchers, Svalbard serves as a unique laboratory where the full spectrum of Arctic nature's responses to human economic activity and natural environmental changes can be studied. A century of active coal mining, developed yet temporarily abandoned settlements, and constant human presence, coupled with the archipelago's unique climatic and geographical conditions, provide an opportunity to understand the nature of the human impact on the Arctic. This understanding is crucial to ensure that the ongoing development of Russia's Polar Regions neither destroys the fragile ecosystem nor hinders rapid improvement. Currently, a team of scientists is conducting interdisciplinary research at the Russian Science Center as part of the implementation of the Strategy for Russian Presence in the Svalbard Archipelago until 2030. This research focuses on fundamental and applied scientific studies in line with the Concept for the Creation and Development of the Russian Science Center in the Svalbard Archipelago.

Tourism not only helps preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Russia's presence in the Arctic but also has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of the Western part of the Northern Sea Route in the future. Alexei Chekunkov, Russian Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, noted in a Telegram post that the country's authorities are currently tasked with making Svalbard more accessible to tourists. "We plan to initiate a regular sea charter with a trip cost comparable to that of a journey to Thailand or Turkey. I am confident that Svalbard is significantly more interesting. We also plan to develop infrastructure for scientific and educational activities," he added, noting that a substantial increase in Russian activity on the archipelago is anticipated in 2024. Regular civil maritime traffic in the Western waters of the Northern Sea Route could be a significant catalyst for the development of the entire route service complex. Ports, repair docks, shipyards, and all associated infrastructure will receive additional funding for business expansion — a steady stream of tourists provides an opportunity for future planning. Indeed, compared to the funds involved in coal, gas, and oil transportation projects, income from Arctic tourism may seem insignificant, but this is only in the short term. The new market that opens up Svalbard's intensive development does not necessarily have to be associated with the Russian-Norwegian archipelago. The prospects for civil maritime traffic development in the Western part of the Northern Sea Route provide opportunities for travelers from across the country (and the world) to experience the unique world of the Russian Arctic in all its stark and austere beauty.

In the future, the Svalbard model could be applied to other northern regions of Russia. Just as scientists are examining the human impact on the Arctic, the government and businesses are experimenting with different development models for the region, which can later be scaled up or adapted to other contexts. The so-called "abandons" (abandoned buildings, military bases, and settlements) could be given a second life in the Polar Region, becoming integral to the development of tourism and navigation via the Northern Sea Route. For instance, last year Roshydromet and the Norilsk Development Agency announced a project to transform abandoned weather stations into tourist attractions. These will serve both as points of interest and as bases for expeditions to more remote areas of the Polar region, including protected areas.