Cape Baranova Ice Base

The original Soviet-era station, named 'Prima', was abandoned due to a lack of funding following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This was part of a widespread closure of Russian Arctic infrastructure during the economic crisis of the 1990s.

The premise that the base is closed is outdated. The site has been completely re-established and modernized. In 2013, Russia began rebuilding the abandoned station, and it officially reopened as the state-of-the-art 'Ice Base Cape Baranova'. It is now Russia's primary year-round scientific research station in the high Arctic, serving as a major hub for a wide range of scientific disciplines. The ice airstrip is fully operational and has been upgraded to accommodate larger transport aircraft, such as the Ilyushin Il-76, ensuring robust logistical support for the station and other Russian activities in the region.

Established in 1986, the 'Prima' station was a significant Soviet polar research outpost on Bolshevik Island in the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago. Its primary function was to conduct scientific research, including meteorology, glaciology, oceanography, and atmospheric studies. The associated ice airstrip was critical for its logistical support, handling supply flights and personnel transport via aircraft such as the An-2, An-26, and helicopters. It was part of a strategic network of Arctic stations vital for weather forecasting, monitoring climate change, and supporting navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

The station is not awaiting reopening; it has been fully operational since its re-establishment was completed around 2013-2014. It is a key component of Russia's renewed strategic focus on the Arctic, and there are no plans for its closure. Instead, it serves as a permanent, modern base for ongoing and future scientific research.