Participants of the Russian state corporation Rosatom’s seventh scientific and educational expedition, Icebreaker of Knowledge, have participated in a remarkable scientific and creative initiative in support of the International Festival of Youth – 2026. During the educational program aboard the 50 Years of Victory nuclear-powered icebreaker, school students from Russia and 22 other countries painted the wing of the probe – a reusable stratospheric platform for environmental monitoring of the Arctic. During the expedition it rose into the sky as a symbol of unity, friendship, and international youth cooperation.
"The International Festival of Youth and the Rosatom State Corporation have been conducting joint projects for several years, bringing together the young leaders all over the world. In 2024, the participants of the World Youth Festival joined the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition and visited the North Pole alongside the Russian and international school students. We are glad that this cooperation continues. I believe such initiatives strengthen the international youth dialogue, and many more joint projects lie ahead," said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
The probe rose the an altitude of more than 15 kilometers over the Franz Josef Land Archipelago, traveled over 100 kilometers, and landed at its designated site. It was jointly developed by the Murmansk Arctic University (MAU), the Stratonavtika Aerospace Laboratory, the RUVDS Company, and the Environmental Defenders Foundation supported by the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and Rosatom. The stratospheric tests demonstrated that such platforms could serve a range of purposes in Arctic development, from monitoring the Northern Sea Route and environmental oversight to providing communications across the region. Each expedition participant had the chance to write their wishes on the platform's wing and send greetings to all participants of the International Festival of Youth – 2026.
"When I found out I would not just be watching the probe launch but could actually help prepare it, I could not believe my luck! Projects like this let you feel part of something big and meaningful. The organizers of Icebreaker of Knowledge gave us an incredible opportunity — to leave our wishes for the participants of the International Festival of Youth on the probe and send them, quite literally, into the stratosphere. This experience changed me: I am now seriously considering a career in science, because there is nothing more exciting than creating something that benefits the whole world," said Anna Azarova, a participant of Russia in the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition.
"Launching the high-altitude balloon was incredibly exciting and interesting! What stayed with me most was the preparation — all of us came together and held the probe steady before liftoff. I am so glad to have been part of this historic moment. It is unforgettable," said Sum Yau Lau, a participant of China in the Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition.
The Icebreaker of Knowledge expedition set off from Murmansk on August 4, following the route Murmansk – North Pole – Franz Josef Land – Murmansk. This year's expedition is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Participants included Russian schoolchildren, international winners of a global selection process, members of Rosatom's Junior engineering and technical movement, winners of the Bolshaya Peremena (Big Change) competition, laureates of federal and international olympiads and science competitions, and a schoolgirl from Moscow who scored a perfect 500 points on Russia's Unified State Exam.
The organizers put together a rich educational program for participants, featuring leading scientists, engineers, and nuclear industry experts, along with writer Sergey Lukyanenko and the Bashkortostan band AY YOLA. Painting the probe served as a further reminder that genuine ideas know no borders, and that friendship and cooperation can bridge any distance — from the Arctic to anywhere else in the world.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
In line with the Russian President’s instructions to preserve and further develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across the Russian Federation. In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will welcome 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will take place in 2030.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a global community of young people committed to shaping a better future.