Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System (NABOS) moorings Healy is expected to visit. (Source: UAF)
The US Coast Guard icebreaker Healy finds itself in unfamiliar waters as it becomes the first US government surface ship to venture into proximity of Russia’s Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the East Siberian Sea in several decades.
Russia claims the right to regulate traffic along the Northern Sea Route, a right the US does not recognize.
Healy is engaged in support of scientific research, but the Russians may view it as a challenge to their regulatory regime. The voyage, which originated in Seattle will end in Norway. Of course, Healy will then have to return to the US.
It is likely the US would like to do a Freedom of Navigation Operation through the Northern Sea route, but we have not had the facilities to do it with confidence.
Intentionally or not, Healy may be dipping a toe into the Northern Sea Route. So far, the Coast Guard is not saying.
Check out the article for a more complete discussion.
Thanks to Tups for bringing this to my attention.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Here’s a follow-up article:
https://maritime-executive.com/article/russian-research-vessel-intercepts-u-s-icebreaker-in-the-arctic
There’s a more detailed map showing the NABOS 2023 cruise plan. Seems like USCGC Healy will be skirting the Russian EEZ.
Thanks, interesting comment on the article that includes history of the Revenue Marine, the USCG’s earlier incarnation.
Russian survey vessel Akademik Nemchinov steamed from the port of Pevek toward USCGC Healy and has been following its track for the past 48 hours.
https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/russian-government-vessel-continues-follow-us-coast-guard-icebreaker-northern-sea-route
While it appears Akademik Nemchinov was indeed diverted to intercept Healy on 2 September (a sudden 90-degree course change followed by nearly straight track), it didn’t really shadow the US icebreaker that much and has since been operating away from Healy’s past track. However, there’s another Russian vessel, Professor Molchanov, which has been sailing a bottom survey pattern over a position that Healy recently crossed. Anyway, this does not seem to over any of the NABOS moorings, so it may be a mere coincidence or Russian paranoia…