Prottoy completes exciting north pole expedition on nuclear icebreaker

Malehul Salehin Prottoy on completion of North Pole expedition. Rosatom- PR- Photo- 15.08.2026 (2)

Malehul Salehin Prottoy, a Class Ten student of Rajshahi Cadet College, has returned to the Russian city of Murmansk after completing Rosatom’s 7th International Scientific and Educational Expedition, “Icebreaker of Knowledge.”

Over ten days, Prottoy joined talented high school students from around the world aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy. The expedition followed the route Murmansk–North Pole–Franz Josef Land–Murmansk. The voyage also made history as the 200th expedition by a surface vessel to reach the North Pole.

“From a dream to the top of the world, my journey aboard the Icebreaker of Knowledge was unforgettable. I met people from 22 countries, experienced 22 different cultures and heard 22 languages. I also learned from experts in marine biology, nuclear physics, artificial intelligence and many other fields. The Arctic gave me knowledge, friendship and memories that I will cherish forever,” Prottoy said, sharing his experience.

The expedition brought together talented students aged 14 to 16. Prottoy has previously achieved success in several international competitions, including the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the International Youth Math Challenge and the Bangladesh Artificial Intelligence Olympiad.

“Such voyages truly contribute to the development of the next generation. The brightest and most talented young people take part in these expeditions. Many of them dreamed of visiting the North Pole and seeing polar bears, and I am very glad that Rosatom and our crew helped make those dreams come true,” said Ruslan Sasov, captain of the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.

A rich scientific and educational programme was arranged on board the ship for the participants. Among the facilities was a real aerospace laboratory, where the students had the opportunity to take part in hands-on scientific activities.

During the expedition, the participants worked alongside scientists on two unique experiments. They launched a radiosonde designed to support communication in hard-to-reach areas of the Arctic and along the Northern Sea Route. They also participated in testing the world’s first recoverable stratospheric platform.

“At Rosatom, we work every day on technologies that seemed like science fiction just yesterday. During the expedition, the children saw that Russian science is focused on the future and on real technologies that can make people’s lives better,” said Yegor Plakhotnyuk, project manager at NIITFA, part of Rosatom’s Scientific Division.

When the expedition reached the North Pole, the participants took part in a symbolic and memorable event: the northernmost and most international circle dance around the 90° point. The event featured a live performance by AY YOLA, a musical group from Bashkortostan.

The expedition also included a creative project. During the voyage, the participants worked with science fiction writer Sergey Lukyanenko to create a science fiction story. The story will later be published on the social media accounts of Rosatom’s Icebreaker of Knowledge project.

The Icebreaker of Knowledge is a scientific and educational project organized with the support of Rosatom. It aims to encourage young people to explore natural sciences and nuclear technologies, identify and support talented students, develop their abilities and provide career guidance. Across its seven seasons, the Icebreaker of Knowledge project has brought more than 470 talented schoolchildren from different countries to the Arctic and the North Pole.

Russia is currently the only country in the world with an operational fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers and offers young people the opportunity to experience the Arctic through educational expeditions such as the Icebreaker of Knowledge. – Press release