About 5,000 American troops were sent to Archangel in northern Russia in 1918 and 1919, in what became known as the Polar Bear Expedition, and ended up fighting the Red Army.

Is it true that about 5,000 American troops were sent to Archangel in northern Russia in 1918 and 1919, in what became known as the Polar Bear Expedition, and ended up fighting the Red Army?

Yes. A Wikipedia reference states the American Expeditionary Force, North Russia, also known as the Polar Bear Expedition, was about 5,000 US Army troops who landed in Arkhangelsk and fought the Red Army from September 1918 to July 1919. A peer-reviewed article separately confirms the Polar Bear Expedition of 1918-1919 in northern Russia.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 2 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 2 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Vonog, E. (2021). ON THE PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTIONS TAKEN BY AMERICAN MILITARY OF THE POLAR BEAR EXPEDITION ON THE NORTH OF RUSSIA DATED TO THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD 1918–1919. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31806/2542-1158-2021-5-3-26-37

American Expeditionary Force, North Russia - Wikipedia. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Expeditionary_Force,_North_Russia