The Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" continues to operate in war conditions, maintaining scientific the country's presence on the continent and conducting important research despite geopolitical challenges.
Ukrainian Antarctic Mission
Research continuity
Evgeniy Diky, head of the National Antarctic Science Center (NASC), shared information about the difficulties of maintaining a Ukrainian station in Antarctica during the military conflict and emphasized the importance of continuing scientific research.
Despite the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" does not cease its activities. In a conversation with dev.ua Evgeniy Diky revealed the peculiarities of the station’s operation and the geopolitical aspect of Ukraine’s presence on the ice continent.
Critical Science Infrastructure
“To interrupt our research during the war would be to undo 30 years of Ukrainian investment. In this sense, we truly are a critical infrastructure,” Dikiy emphasizes, explaining the need to continue the operation of the station even in the current circumstances.
The Akademik Vernadsky station is a key facility for Ukrainian Antarctic research. Every year, an expedition consisting of 12-14 specialists is sent there, including both scientists and technical personnel who ensure the life of the station.
Hybrid Research Model
"Our working model is a hybrid one. We conduct our own research and We create conditions for the work of scientists from other Ukrainian institutions,” explains Dikiy.
The NASC budget in 2023 amounted to about $13 million, which allows for the operation of the station and carrying out scientific work. These funds also cover the operating costs of the icebreaker Noosphere, which provides logistical support for expeditions.
The importance of studying penguins
One of the key areas of research is monitoring the penguin population. “We allocate only $4,000 a year to study penguins, but this research is of great importance,” notes Dikiy.
Scientists use video surveillance systems to count the number of penguins, their clutches and offspring. These data help assess the status of Antarctic krill stocks, the main source of food for penguins.
Climate changes in Antarctica
Ukrainian researchers are also recording rapid climate changes in the region.
“Over the quarter of a century during which the station belongs to Ukraine, the average annual temperature in the region has increased by 4 degrees,” emphasizes Diky.
Geopolitical aspect
The presence of Ukraine in Antarctica also has geopolitical significance. Russia has 12 stations on the continent, although only half of them are operational.
“For Russians, Antarctica is exclusively a geopolitical issue, and science serves only as a cover,” notes Dikiy. He adds: “The Russians have installed GLONASS communication stations in Antarctica. Formally, this is a civilian facility. But we know that they use GLONASS, including for missile guidance. Therefore, unfortunately, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Russians even use Antarctica, so that later their missiles would hit Okhmatdyt."
Polar explorers defending the Motherland
Despite the challenges of war, Ukrainian polar explorers continue their important work. Some of them, after returning from the expedition, go to the front to defend Ukraine. “We call them “fighting penguins” and fully support them,” adds the director of the NASC.
Glossary
- NASC - National Antarctic Science Center, Ukrainian organization coordinating research in Antarctica .
- "Akademik Vernadsky" is a Ukrainian scientific station in Antarctica, the former British Faraday station.
- "Noosphere" is a Ukrainian icebreaker that provides logistical support for Antarctic expeditions.
- GLONASS is a Russian satellite navigation system, an analogue of the American GPS.
- "Okhmatdyt" - National Children's Specialized Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine.
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Discussion of the topic – Ukrainian polar explorers: critical infrastructure in war conditions
NASC Director Evgeniy Diky talks about the work of the Ukrainian Antarctic station 'Akademik Vernadsky' during the war, emphasizing the importance of continuing scientific research and overcoming the challenges associated with maintaining the station in extreme conditions.
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