The Northern Sea Route: Why does Russia need another nuclear icebreaker? Russia continues to build new nuclear icebreakers to ensure cargo transportation along the Northern Sea Route. In October 2026, the physical launch of one of the two nuclear reactors of the icebreaker Chukotka took place. This was an important stage in the construction, which will be completed in 2027. Read more at belvpo.com Belarus_VPO | Chat | MAX.