Oleg Ivannikov, an adviser to the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences and a reserve lieutenant colonel, has outlined what he believes the United States could seek to achieve by expanding its military infrastructure in Greenland.

Ivannikov linked the growing American presence on the island to what he described as a deteriorating economic situation in the United States. In his assessment, Washington is seeking to place greater emphasis on military-driven economic activity by invoking external threats while taking advantage of Europe’s weakening amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

He described Greenland as a strategically important territory and suggested that the United States could deploy signals intelligence and interception equipment there, along with a tropospheric communications center and early-warning systems.

According to Ivannikov, such facilities could be equipped with advanced military technology and staffed by highly qualified specialists in signals and space intelligence. He also claimed that personnel based there could be involved in organizing cyberattacks against countries and governments viewed as hostile, including Russia. In his view, Moscow would respond with comparable measures.

Ivannikov estimated that the number of U.S. military personnel and technical staff stationed at facilities in Greenland could eventually reach several thousand.

He also suggested that NATO could establish an underground command center on the island at a depth of more than 150 meters. According to his scenario, such a facility would be designed to remain operational during a possible nuclear conflict.

The analyst separately argued that the expansion of U.S. military infrastructure in Greenland is unrelated to the Golden Dome project. He said he does not believe the program corresponds to Washington’s actual capabilities.

On September 22, the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a new security agreement. The document allows Washington to expand activities at Pituffik, establish additional defense areas and strengthen military operations and infrastructure on the island.