Severomorsk blackout - How a power failure Hit Russia’s Northern fleet headquarters

In late January 2026, the closed Russian town of Severomorsk, home to the Northern Fleet - Russia’s most important naval command - was hit by a major power outage after a series of aging electricity pylons collapsed during severe winter weather.

Severomorsk, located on the Kola Bay in the Barents Sea, hosts Russia’s largest fleet of ballistic missile submarines, extensive missile and nuclear warhead arsenals, and critical repair facilities.

On January 23, five power transmission towers - some nearly 60 years old - gave way about seven kilometres from Murmansk, cutting electricity to both Murmansk and Severomorsk. As a result, residents faced loss of electricity and heating amid harsh Arctic conditions, and authorities had to switch key facilities to emergency generators.

The outage quickly drew attention not just for its impact on civilians, but because it affected a town integral to Russia’s naval deterrent and Arctic military posture. In response, dockside Northern Fleet ships activated autonomous power systems to conserve energy for essential needs.

After four days of blackouts, power was restored on January 27, according to regional officials.

This event highlights how aging infrastructure and extreme weather can disrupt even the most strategically important military hubs, raising questions about resilience planning and energy security in harsh environments.