A solemn departure ceremony for the international Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition was held in Murmansk, a city located in North-West of the Russian Federation.
Ruslan Sasov, captain of the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, issued the order to set sail, and the ship set off on its route from Murmansk to the North Pole, Franz Josef Land, and back to Murmansk.
The scientific and educational project, organised with the support of Rosatom, brings together talented students
aged 14–16 from around the world, giving the strongest participants an opportunity to experience cutting-edge science and engineering firsthand.
About 5,000 students from 22 countries took part in this year’s international selection process, with Rwanda among the participating nations.
“The Arctic is a place of power, where the most ambitious ideas are born and brought to life. This is where bold and active people who are ready to build a better future come. The Icebreaker of Knowledge is taking exactly these kinds of children to the North Pole. And we are proud that our nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet – the only one of its kind in the world – provides them with this opportunity. On board the nuclear-powered ship 50 Let Pobedy, the students will learn about technologies they won’t see anywhere else. We want to harness the energy of the best young minds to advance science and protect the planet. This energy is the main driver of progress,” noted Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.
The total duration of expedition will be 10 days. After leaving the port, the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy will sail across the Barents Sea to the high latitudes of the Arctic, proceed to the Franz Josef Land archipelago, reach the geographic North Pole, and then return to Murmansk.
During the voyage, participants will explore the nature of the Far North, observe the operation of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, and learn more about the role of nuclear technology in the development of Arctic shipping.
The voyage aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy will give students from around the world a unique opportunity to see the Arctic with their own eyes, experience the vastness of the northern territories, and become part of an international community of young researchers united by an interest in science, technology, and the future.
The students will bring their countries’ flags to the North Pole, making the moment of reaching the 90° mark
particularly symbolic.
“Setting off for the North Pole feels like receiving an invitation to a completely different world – a world that once seemed so distant. And then, suddenly, it becomes real, not for someone else, but for me. I am representing my country Rwanda, which makes this moment feel even more meaningful and powerful. I am going to a place that so many people dream of visiting. It is incredibly inspiring and gives me a unique sense of inner energy. I believe that after a journey like this, it is impossible to remain the same. You begin to see the world differently, rethink your goals, and realise just how much there is still to discover,” shared Rwandan student Izere Louise who has
joined the expedition.
A packed educational program kicks off on the very first day on board. Participants can look forward to lectures, workshops, discussions, scientific experiments, career counseling, creative activities, as well as memorable symbolic events – from postcards sent from the northernmost post office to a “round-the-world journey” at the point where all meridians intersect.
Leading international experts will work alongside the expedition participants aboard the nuclear- powered icebreaker. Project Manager at the Laboratory of Genomic Technologies and Tissue Engineering of JSC NIITFA Egor Plakhotnyuk; Deputy Chief Engineer of the Beloyarsk NPP Andrey Smelov; General Director of CONSIST-OS (IT integrator for Rosatom’s Electric Power Division) Ilya Kholkin; Director of Communications at the Brazilian Association of Nuclear Energy Jairu Silva Bastos; physician, science communicator and expert of the Mwanachuo Family Foundation of Tanzania Dr Noel Rajabu Mabele and Professor at the Department of Marine
Biology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India Dr Bijoy Nandan.
Popular performers and bloggers, as well as the well-known Russian science fiction writer Sergey Lukyanenko, will be special guests on the voyage. During the Arctic expedition, he will lead a creative workshop for the participants: the author will provide an intriguing opening for a science fiction story, and the students will propose their own versions of the ending. Following the expedition, the complete collaborative work will be officially published.
For young participants from countries such as Rwanda, the expedition is more than a journey to the Arctic. It is an opportunity to experience STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – in action through hands-on learning, collaboration with international experts and exposure to advanced technologies. As Rwanda continues to prioritise science, technology and innovation as key pillars of its long-term development, initiatives that encourage curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving help prepare the next generation of engineers, researchers and innovators.
The expedition also reflects broader educational cooperation between Rwanda and Russia. As of April 2026, 108 Rwandan students are studying nuclear and related disciplines at Russian universities, while a joint Nuclear Science and Technology bachelor’s programme between the University of Rwanda and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI trains around 50 students each year.
Together, these initiatives help expand opportunities for young Rwandans to build internationally recognised scientific and engineering expertise. Fact Sheet:
The scientific and educational project Icebreaker of Knowledge is organised with the support of Rosatom. It is aimed at promoting natural science disciplines and technologies of the nuclear industry, finding and supporting talented and gifted children, developing their abilities and offering career guidance.
The international selection process began on May 5 and consisted of three stages. During the first stage, participants answered questions in a science quiz, testing their knowledge of natural sciences, breakthrough technologies, nuclear energy, and Arctic exploration.
The second stage included a series of webinars delivered by nuclear industry experts. Participants learned about Rosatom’s advanced solutions, including technologies used to ensure the safe and sustainable development of
Arctic shipping, as well as the role of nuclear energy in the future of the global economy and science.
Based on the total scores for both stages, ten finalists in each country were selected. They advanced to the final round, where they presented creative projects on the theme “How Nuclear Technologies Are Changing the World Today.” In the final round, it was important for the participants not only to demonstrate their knowledge of the topic but also to demonstrate their ability to think outside the box, construct a compelling argument, and present the material in an engaging manner.
The finalists’ works were evaluated by an international jury composed of representatives of the nuclear industry, science, education, Arctic affairs, and science communication.
Over the six seasons of the Icebreaker of Knowledge project, more than 400 talented schoolchildren from around the world have participated in Rosatom’s Arctic expeditions to the North Pole. The project offered them a unique opportunity to see an operational nuclear-powered icebreaker up close and learn about advanced scientific and technological developments in Russia’s nuclear industry.
Russia is the only country in the world with a nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet. The fleet is operated by FSUE Atomflot, a Rosatom's enterprise. At present, FSUE Atomflot operates eight nuclear-powered icebreakers.
WN/as/APA