Updated

South Korean ships are testing a route along Russia's northern Arctic coast, which Deutsche Welle reported on 5 November 2026 would sharply cut travel time to Europe. The route could be seen by the pro-Ukraine coalition as undermining its efforts to isolate Moscow. The report framed the test as a commercial gain for South Korean shipping set against a wider diplomatic dispute between Russia and Western countries over Moscow's standing. Deutsche Welle's brief report gave no further detail on the voyages, their scale or any official response.