Could Russia hit northern Europe if it gained control of Arctic’s Bear Gap?

A strategically important stretch of Arctic Ocean, known as the Bear Gap, has become the latest focus of concerns about Russia’s military ambitions in the far north.

In an interview with UK’s Times newspaper on Monday, Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik warned that Moscow must not be allowed to gain control of the corridor, arguing that it would give Russia a dangerous capacity to deploy submarines and weapons.

“We see what kind of weapon systems Russia is developing, and we know that if they can control the Bear Gap, they can also use hypersonic missiles against NATO … against London, against Norway, against Denmark,” he said.

“They are developing weapon systems, which tells us that we cannot let them control the Bear Gap.”

The warning comes as the Arctic rapidly becomes one of the world’s most contested regions. As melting ice opens up new shipping lanes, its vast oil and other natural resources, and the intensifying rivalry between Russia, NATO, China and the US are turning it into an increasingly important military and commercial theatre.

Six countries – Russia, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Norway and Iceland – surround the Arctic.

Russia has spent years rebuilding Arctic bases and strengthening its Northern Fleet, while NATO members have expanded their own military presence across the region.

The Bear Gap is a strategic naval chokepoint in the Arctic Ocean, spanning roughly 400 miles (650 km) between the North Cape of mainland Norway and Bear Island, the southernmost tip of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.