Russia has seven military bases in the Arctic Ocean and claims control over the Arctic. Meanwhile, the United States has only two options for control. The first is the military base "Elmendorf-Richardson" (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) in Alaska, and the second - the air base "Thule" (Thule Air Base) on the Danish island of Greenland. With two "goats in the deck" against seven, is Washington able to influence Moscow?
This question is tried to be answered by Brandon Weichert, published in the National Interest portal. In the article "Russia Quietly Builds a New Arctic Military Base — on American soil" the analyst draws attention to the actions of the Russian Federation near Alaska and explains that this speaks to the capabilities of Moscow and Washington in the Arctic and in the waters of the Arctic Ocean.
Wrangel Island, a remote Arctic pearl in the Chukchi Sea, is one of the most pristine natural refuges in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and a federally protected nature reserve since 1975, this 2,934-square-mile island is home to unparalleled biodiversity, including polar bears, musk oxen and the remains of ancient mammoths. But beneath its icy facade lies a controversial military base: the Ushakovskoye facility. This Russian military base, equipped with the advanced Sopka-2 radar and supporting infrastructure, not only violates the protected status of the island, but also occupies territory that historically belonged to the United States and was illegally annexed by Russia.
With Russia’s increasing militarization of the Arctic region, the Ushakovskoye base, located just 300 miles west of Alaska, poses a serious environmental and geopolitical threat.
The Wrangel Island Dispute
The dispute over the sovereignty of Wrangel Island dates back to the 19th century and is linked to exploration and imperial ambitions. Discovered by Russian naval officer Ferdinand von Wrangel in 1823, the island had no permanent settlers until American interest arose.
In 1881, the United States formally claimed Wrangel Island under the Guano Islands Act, declaring it a U.S. territory due to its strategic location in the Arctic and its potential resources. America's claim to the island was supported by American expeditions to the island, including the 1921 expedition of Vihjalmur Stefansson, which established a provisional government and raised the American flag.
Russia's claim to the island emerged later. In 1916, Tsar Nicholas II issued an imperial proclamation of sovereignty over the island, but the Russian Revolution and subsequent civil war distracted the Kremlin from the issue for almost a decade. In 1924, however, Soviet forces illegally seized the island, expelling American and British settlers in a brazen act of aggression. Since then, despite sporadic protests from Washington, Russia has retained the island, gradually building facilities like Ushakovskoye to strengthen its control.
Legal scholars argue that the U.S. claim remains dormant, and the U.S. State Department declined to enforce it during Bush’s second term. However, the U.S. claim is valid and does not lapse with time or by tacit consent. More importantly, the strategic location of the island, which lies just 300 miles from the Alaskan border, means that Washington should not give up its legitimate claim to Wrangel Island so easily.
Why does Russia want Wrangel Island?
The fact that Moscow continues to behave aggressively in Alaskan airspace – most recently by flying nuclear-armed bombers off the coast of Alaska – means that Washington must sooner or later respond with similar provocative actions.
Although Russia administers the island as part of Chukotka, the lack of previous US waivers preserves Washington’s historical claim. Therefore, Russia’s control of the island constitutes an illegal occupation. In addition to the island's strategic value, the region in which Wrangel Island is located is rich in untapped oil and natural gas reserves and lies in the middle of a major shipping route. The United States cannot give up its claim just because the Russians have moved forces to the island.
Named after explorer Georgy Ushakov, the Ushakovskoye military base on Wrangel Island is the tip of the spear that is Russia's aggressive push into the Arctic. Established in 2010 as part of the “Arctic Shield” initiative, this Russian military base includes an airfield, barracks, fuel depots, and communications centers. At the center of the base is the “Sopka-2” radar, a state-of-the-art S-band air surveillance system that went into service in 2016. This radar features a primary phased array antenna for three-dimensional tracking at ranges of up to 350 kilometers, supplemented by secondary radars for aircraft identification.
Housed in a protective dome that can withstand temperatures of up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and winds of 89 miles per hour, “Sopka-2” monitors air traffic and detects intruders with high precision. Russian forces are testing its capabilities during exercises in 2021, confirming its role in airspace control. Supporting facilities include logistics centers to support up to 100 personnel, enhancing Russia’s power projection in the eastern Arctic.
This development stands in stark contrast to the island’s pre-2014 status, when it housed only a small weather station and was home to reindeer herders. Satellite imagery has since revealed expanded runways and warehouses, transforming the nature reserve into a fortified outpost.
Located near the Bering Strait, the "Sopka-2" radar provides real-time information on U.S. and NATO movements, covering key approaches to Alaska. This allows for early warning for missile defense and potentially jamming GPS signals, increasing the risk of escalation. As Russia rebuilds 50 Arctic bases, Wrangel serves as an eastern outpost, supporting submarines and bombers in a competition for resources.
Russia Destroys Environment on Wrangel Island
The status of Wrangel Island as a protected nature reserve has fueled outrage over the creation of the Ushakovskoye military site. As a UNESCO site, it preserves Arctic biodiversity, with more than 60 species of mammals and migratory birds. But military activities have led to pollution from fuel spills, construction waste and emissions, threatening fragile ecosystems. A 2018 UNESCO report called on Russia to mitigate the impact of such facilities, but expansion continues apace.
Abandoned Soviet-era bases already litter the landscape with rusting debris, and new facilities are worsening habitat degradation for endangered polar bears and walruses.
America Could Use Wrangel Island
For the United States, this illegal Russian presence on American soil threatens national security, as well as loss of economic opportunity and prestige. It could facilitate hybrid warfare, including cyber-attacks or incursions, in a region that is vital to future trade along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Experts warn of miscalculations that could lead to conflict, especially with NATO’s growing interest in the Arctic. The facility’s dual nature – civilian air control disguised as military surveillance – blurs borders and causes tension.
The Russian base Ushakovskoye on Wrangel Island is a prime example of Arctic imperialism: a protected sanctuary desecrated by an illegal military base on disputed American territory. The Sopka-2 radar and its infrastructure not only violate environmental protections, but also pose a direct threat to US interests through surveillance and militarization. With the Arctic melting, the US must revive its claims to the island - at least to use it as diplomatic leverage in its relations with Moscow.