British marines prepare for war with Russia in Norway’s icy mountains, Politico reports

According to the outlet, the UK’s Royal Marines are honing survival and combat skills in extreme Arctic conditions.

Troops are setting up camps in temperatures below -20 °C, jumping into icy water, and completing demanding physical challenges. Camp Viking in Skjold, which opened in 2023, currently accommodates up to 1,500 troops and is expected to expand to 2,000 next year.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper noted that Britain plans to double the presence of its Royal Marines in Norway over a three-year period.

The exercises reflect NATO collective defense scenarios under Article 5, preparing forces for a potential conflict that could quickly escalate from low intensity to a major threat due to Russia’s nuclear capabilities and submarine deployments.

The drills also demonstrate solidarity among European allies, as Arctic security directly affects transatlantic stability.

At the same time, the training sends a political signal to the United States and to Donald Trump that Europe retains control and readiness to respond to threats in the region.

Arctic Sentry mission in the Arctic

UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide have publicly endorsed the concept of a NATO mission dubbed Arctic Sentry.

The initiative is intended to strengthen military cooperation among allies and counter growing Russian threats in the Arctic, while also signaling to the United States, including Donald Trump, the seriousness of Europe’s presence in the region.

The parameters of the mission remain undefined, including troop numbers, the format of allied participation, and whether it would involve land, naval, or air deployments.

Preliminary assessments suggest the initiative could include an expansion of military drills in Greenland, similar to those already taking place in northern Norway.

Particular attention may also be given to monitoring shipping routes in the region.

The move is driven by increased activity by the so-called shadow fleet transporting sanctioned Russian oil, as well as suspected acts of sabotage targeting undersea communication cables in Northern Europe.

NATO mobilizes

Meanwhile, NATO is launching large-scale Steadfast Dart 2026 exercises aimed at practicing the rapid deployment of the Alliance’s Response Forces. The main activities will take place in Germany, Türkiye, Italy, and Spain.

From January to March 2026, annual drills will be held across four European countries, involving around 10,000 troops from Italy, Greece, Germany, Czechia, Spain, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye, with additional support from France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the UK and Norway are preparing to sign a defense agreement to establish a joint naval force to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.

It was also reported that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is considering deploying British troops to Greenland amid heightened rhetoric from Donald Trump, who has previously spoken of taking control of the territory.

The discussions involve the potential deployment of British soldiers, ships, and aircraft as part of a possible NATO mission in the region.