The former spy chief who’s shaping Russia’s Arctic security strategy

Arctida’s analysts Anastasia Martynova and Nail Farkhatdinov have traced the evolving institutional governance of the Russia Arctic in recent years. They argue that a key development is tied to a close ally of Vladimir Putin.

Nikolai Patrushev has played a central role in shaping the public rhetoric of Russian authorities concerning national security and strategic interests. He served as head of the Federal Security Service (the successor of the KGB) from 1998 to 2008, during Putin’s early years as president. Afterward, he significantly empowered the Security Council, which later became one of the key institutions that legitimized the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Following Putin’s re-election in 2024, Patrushev stepped down from the Security Council. He has since transitioned to the Presidential Administration and now heads the Maritime Commission.

Patrushev has maintained a consistent presence as one of the key stakeholders in Arctic affairs. According to an analysis of both his formal and informal connections, he is currently deeply engaged in Arctic policymaking.

Of particular note among his informal ties is the involvement of his family. One of his sons, Andrei, holds a stake in the LLC that operates the Arkhangelsk Port in northern Russia. He is also connected to the NGO Arctic Initiatives, which is active in Arctic-related projects across sectors such as the oil and gas industry, as well as culture.

Prior to Patrushev, the Maritime Commission was formally part of the government and chaired by Denis Manturov, currently the First Deputy Prime Minister. Under his leadership, the commission focused primarily on industrial and economic issues, with little attention paid to military and security affairs.

Arctida’s analysis indicates a significant shift in the composition of the Maritime Commission, particularly in the growing influence of individuals linked to the security services. During Denis Manturov’s tenure as chair, such members made up about 8% of the Commission. Since Patrushev’s appointment, this share has jumped to 28%.

This formal shift may signal a broader transformation in governance policy regarding the Russian Arctic — moving away from a mostly economic agenda toward a more securitized and militarized approach.

There is now likely to be a shift toward more administrative and centralized governance approaches . This may constrain interregional cooperation, while simultaneously expanding the authority of central institutions in managing Arctic affairs. Given the Russian government’s substantial investment in infrastructure development and its anticipation that the Arctic may become a contested arena, figures with strong ties to the Siloviki*— such as Patrushev — are expected to play a central role.

With his background and network within the security apparatus, Patrushev is positioned as a key Arctic stakeholder, overseeing strategic initiatives and consolidating power in the region. This may also take the form of a key national project on Arctic development and Northern Sea Route. Economic considerations will be less important in an area that will be dominated by geopolitical issues.

A key consequence of the securitization of the Russian Arctic is the marginalization of climate crisis concerns in public discourse. This harms Indigenous communities that not only face environmental degradation, but are also heavily impacted by the mobilization for the war in Ukraine.

* The Siloviki is an elite group of businessmen and other leaders with close ties to state security, the police, the investigative committee and other agencies. The term translates as “people of force” or “strongmen.”

Arctida is a non-profit organization that promotes transparency and sustainable development in the Arctic region.Arctida also investigates topics such as climate financing, Arctic management principles, and the rights of indigenous peoples.