The 50 Let Pobedy nuclear-powered icebreaker has set off on its first 11-day tourist cruise this year from Murmansk to the North Pole, TASS reports, citing Atomflot's press service. This time, most of the passengers are from Asian countries.

"A group of Poseidon Travel Agency tourists, mostly from Asia, will be this year's first travellers to the North Pole," the company said. The agency also said the number of Russian tourists was increasing, possibly making up 20% of all tourists this season, though some groups have yet to be organized.

The 50 Let Pobedy nuclear-powered icebreaker has been taking tourists to the North Pole since 2008.