Murmansk Airport in Russian Arctic takes protection measures against Ukrainian drones
By Denis Zagore, Atle Staalesen
Mobile air defence groups are being established around the far northern Russian airport.
The management of Murmansk Airport has started to recruit personnel for “mobile fire groups,” which will be tasked with “ensuring the security of the airport’s infrastructure.”
In a notice on its Telegram channel, the airport promises future employees a “decent salary, training, and equipment.” The workers will also get “three meals a day.”
Applicants are not required to have prior service in law enforcement or the military, though such experience is described as an advantage, the Russian version of the Barents Observer reports.
Murmansk Airport is located in Murmashi, about 25 km south of the city centre. The distance to Ukraine is about 1,900 km.
The recruitment campaign comes as Ukrainian drones have repeatedly attacked airports across the European part of Russia.
Murmansk Airport is not the only place on the Kola Peninsula seeking improved air protection. The Murmansk Operations Headquarters, an organisation that promotes the war effort in the region, recently announced the introduction of special support measures for people wishing to serve in the so-called “new drone forces.”
According to the organisation, would-be recruits are offered the chance to swap a standard year of conscription service for a contract in the “new, indispensable, high-tech UAV forces.” Signing a contract comes with a one-off payment of 1 million rubles (€10,660), plus 3.5 million rubles (€37,300) for buying an apartment or starting a business.
Similar recruitment ads for drone operators have also appeared on regional vacancy sites. According to a social media channel that posts vacancies, applicants are promised a one-off payment of 2.3 million rubles (€24,500), debt write-offs, as well as veteran status as a participant in the “special military operation.”
Typically, such advertisements promise service away from the front line, implying a low risk to life. However, assurances about the “safety” of drone operators in this war often bear little relation to reality. In May 2026, it was reported that 23-year-old Valery Averin from Buryatia was killed after being recruited into the UAV forces, having believed the Defence Ministry’s assurances.
Since Russia started its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the Kola Peninsula has on several occasions been attacked by drones. The biggest happened on 1 July 2025 when the airport in Olenya was attack as part of Operation Spiderweb.
It is also likely that drones have tried to reach targets near the Northern Fleet headquarters in Severomorsk. On 19 December 2024, there were massive explosions near the strategically important city.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: South Korean president says Arctic trial run is first step toward regular commercial service, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Trump touts ‘permanent control’ in Greenland deal as Denmark, Nuuk stress sovereignty, self-determination, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: European Arctic Summit: Russia poses “significant and long-term threat” to Euro-Atlantic security, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Resource extraction projects, dwindling sea ice, power Arctic shipping surge, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Mounting war-time trade between Moscow and Beijing expands in the Arctic, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden welcomes Greenland deal — but US rhetoric hurting trust within NATO, minister says, Radio Sweden
United States: New Greenland military bases will expand U.S. Arctic footprint, enhance NATO, Trump tells UN, Eye on the Arctic
