Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said NATO's growing military presence in the Arctic presents a direct security concern for Russia.

In February, NATO announced the Arctic Sentry mission to increase its presence in the far north, a step taken amid the alliance's broader focus on the region after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Lavrov said the exercises raise the likelihood of incidents that could trigger an armed confrontation, with potentially severe consequences.

Norway, a NATO ally and Russia's neighbour, expanded a military brigade based in the Arctic this month, the latest step by a NATO nation to strengthen its defence posture since the Ukraine war began.

Russia says it operates the largest military infrastructure and a fleet of nuclear‑armed submarines in the Arctic, while China has increased its activity there in cooperation with Moscow.

The intensifying military activity in the Arctic highlights the region's strategic importance, though no immediate escalation has been reported.