Ukraine Strengthens Antarctic Presence as "Noosphere" Crosses Polar Circle for the First Time

Ukrainian icebreaker Noosphere has crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time and joined international scientific research in Antarctica.

The Gaze reports this, referring to the National Antarctic Scientific Center on Facebook.

Since December 11, the Ukrainian research icebreaker Noosphere has been operating south of the Antarctic Circle, supporting joint oceanographic and geological studies. The vessel’s route began at the Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic station and passed through the polar circle to Margaret Bay and the British Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island.

During the passage, the crew had to maneuver among numerous icebergs, requiring high-precision navigation and extensive experience. At the same time, scientists conducted oceanographic observations, including the search for marine heatwaves linked to global warming, and carried out seabed mapping using acoustic equipment.

In addition, Ukrainian and Mexican geologists collected seabed sediment samples to analyze climate changes over hundreds and thousands of years. Another outcome of the expedition was talks with British colleagues at Rothera Station on launching joint research projects as early as this season.

Noosphere has now begun its return journey to the Akademik Vernadsky station, continuing scientific work in the ocean.

Ukraine’s research icebreaker Noosphere has become a symbol of the country’s return to polar science and its growing contribution to global research. 

Acquired in August 2021, shortly before the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, the vessel was formerly the flagship of the United Kingdom’s scientific fleet, known as RRS James Clark Ross. For nearly two decades before that purchase, Ukraine had no research vessel capable of independent polar missions, making Noosphere a strategic breakthrough for national science.

Renamed Noosphere in October 2021, the ship’s new name reflects the intellectual legacy of Ukrainian scientist Volodymyr Vernadsky, after whom Ukraine’s Antarctic station is also named. Today, Noosphere serves as the flagship of Ukraine’s research fleet, enabling oceanographic, geological, meteorological, and climate studies not only in Antarctica but also potentially in the Arctic and other regions of the world’s oceans. With modern laboratories on board, the capacity to study the seabed at depths of up to 8 kilometers, and room for up to 50 scientists, the vessel gives Ukraine long-term scientific autonomy at sea.

The icebreaker has already demonstrated its importance through intensive international cooperation. During its fourth Antarctic season (December 2024 – May 2025), Noosphere completed a record five Antarctic voyages and crossed the Drake Passage ten times, covering more than 20,000 nautical miles. 

These missions supported rotations of Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions at the Akademik Vernadsky station and enabled joint research cruises with partners from Poland, the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic, significantly expanding Ukraine’s scientific reach.

Despite the challenges posed by Russia’s ongoing aggression, which currently prevents the vessel from returning to its home port of Odesa, Noosfera continues to operate as a floating platform of Ukrainian scientific resilience. 

Its missions underline Ukraine’s role as an active and reliable partner in international polar research and demonstrate how Ukrainian science, even under wartime conditions, contributes meaningfully to understanding the planet’s changing climate and oceans.

As The Gaze reported earlier, on August 30, Ukrainian foreign broadcasting platforms Dim, FREEDOM, UATV.English, and The Gaze have premiered the documentary Science Warriors, highlighting Ukrainian polar researchers who continue their scientific work despite the war while also defending their country on the front lines.

Filmed in Antarctica at the Akademik Vernadsky station, aboard the research vessel Noosphere, in Ukraine, and near active combat zones, the film offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Ukrainian scientific expeditions during wartime.

Science Warriors focuses on scientists who have taken up arms to protect Ukraine, as well as on those who lost their lives in the fight for independence. Through powerful visual contrasts between the frozen silence of Antarctica and the sounds of war, along with personal stories from both the polar station and the battlefield, the film captures the transformation of researchers into soldiers defending their country, values, and freedom.

Watch the full documenraty via the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvw11nwR_ZI&t=327s