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Russia’s Emergencies Ministry begins multilateral drills in the Arctic today.

The drills, titled Safe Arctic 2023, will see participation from nine foreign countries from Latin America and Africa. To kick off the exercises, which formally run from April  6-7, an Arctic expedition will take place where participants will travel through the Arctic to test equipment and clothing developed by Russian manufacturers.

The drills follow Joint Warrior exercises carried out by NATO in the Arctic, mainly off the coast of Norway and throughout the Northern European Seas. NATO members also carried out the multinational Cobra Warrior exercise, training participants in a series of air war fighting operations in a display of NATO unity. Amid these two exercises and Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, Russia aims to bolster its presence in the Arctic.

With seven Arctic nations in NATO and increased collective capabilities, Russia may continue exercises and the distribution of resources to the region. Economic strains stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine, however, will likely deter Russia from outright conflict in the Arctic. In the near future, expect further shows of strength and attempts at preparing troops to operate in the Arctic from both NATO and the Kremlin.