The Russian government is allocating almost RUB 60 bn for the construction of the fifth and sixth series of universal nuclear icebreakers of Project 22220 with a capacity of 60 MW each and more than RUB 12 bn for the creation of a 9.3 MW multifunctional nuclear maintenance vessel. This order was signed by the Prime Minister on 29 December 2022. The corresponding document has already been published on the website of the Russian Government.

According to the document, the fifth serial nuclear-powered ship of the project is to be built in the period from 2023 to 2028, the sixth—from 2024 to 2030. In turn, the multifunctional vessel, necessary for the maintenance of the Russian nuclear fleet, will be constructed in 2023–2029.

Only part of the amount needed to implement these projects will be covered by federal budget investments. The remaining funds will come from non-budgetary sources of financing, primarily from Rosatom.

This government decision underlines the backbone of the course taken by Russia in the high latitudes. Progressive increase in the icebreaker fleet will ensure the technical capability of year-round navigation in the Arctic Ocean, primarily on the North Sea Route.