Mobile North-Arctic Lecture Hall Arrives in Yakutsk: Over 8,300 Kilometers Across Arctic Off-Road

Today, April 15, 2026, the mobile expedition of the North-Arctic Lecture Hall (PESAL), organized by ZVEZDA LLC, arrived in Yakutsk. An official meeting of the expedition participants with representatives of the scientific and educational community and government officials of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) took place at North-Eastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov (NEFU).

Today, April 15, 2026, the mobile expedition of the North-Arctic Lecture Hall (PESAL), organized by ZVEZDA LLC, arrived in Yakutsk. An official meeting of the expedition participants with representatives of the scientific and educational community and government officials of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) took place at North-Eastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov (NEFU).

During its journey, the expedition covered more than 8,300 kilometers across the off-road terrain of the Far North, passing through three regions: Yamal, Taimyr, and Yakutia. The lecture hall's route ran through the most challenging natural and climatic conditions of the Arctic, including deep snow, swampy tundra, and ice crossings. Despite all the difficulties, the expedition members successfully completed their assigned tasks, demonstrating the high reliability of Russian-made vehicles and the professionalism of the team.

The solemn flag-handover ceremony took place against the backdrop of two ZVEZDA all-terrain vehicles that arrived as part of the expedition. Alexander Nikolaevich Blokhin, General Director of ZVEZDA LLC, presented the university flag to Evgeny Eduardovich Solovyov, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at NEFU. A flag was also handed over to Vladimir Nikolaevich Vasiliev, Executive Director of the Northern Forum.

The Northern Forum Secretariat accompanied the project throughout the entire route across the regions, ensuring coordination with local partners and organizers on the ground.

Following the ceremony, a roundtable discussion was held on the theme "The Arctic: Improving Regional Connectivity and Advancing Education." During the event, a presentation of ZVEZDA vehicles was given. Participants learned in detail about the technical specifications and capabilities of the amphibious all-terrain vehicles and their adaptation to the extreme conditions of the Far North. Expedition members shared practical experience from overcoming the most challenging sections of the route and spoke about future plans to return to the Yakutian Arctic next year. The session concluded with a lively question-and-answer discussion, during which guests received comprehensive information about both the vehicles and the progress of the expedition.

It should be recalled that the project of the Mobile Expeditionary North-Arctic Lecture Hall named after Vladimir Alexandrovich Rusanov (PESAL) is being implemented by the Working Group on Transport and Logistics of the Northern Forum (Chairperson - Nadezhda Anatolyevna Filippova) jointly with ZVEZDA LLC in March-April 2026, with the support of the Russian Geographical Society and the Polar Explorers Association.

The lecture hall is built on the basis of the serially produced Zvezda T24 8×8 all-terrain vehicle and represents an autonomous mobile educational platform designed for operation in the Far North and remote settlements. The lecture hall is equipped with multimedia systems, interactive equipment, VR tools, and a facility for delivering lectures, open lessons, youth meetings, screenings of documentary and expedition films, as well as thematic exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Arctic and modern northern professions.