As a result of increasing permafrost degradation, caused by climate warming, there is a growth in the number of deformations of buildings and structures in the regions of the Russian Arctic. The article examines in detail examples of building deformations in the north of the European part of Russia, in Western and Eastern Siberia, and on the Russian Arctic coast. The authors analyze and typify main causes of contingency situations. These include insufficient engineering and geological surveys, design errors, poor-quality construction of buildings and structures and violations of current standards for their operation. A serious risk factor in the construction and operation of civil and industrial facilities in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation caused the liquidation of the previously existing system for monitoring the condition of capital structures, design and technical services that specialized in the restoration and repair of damaged buildings. At the same time, following up the construction practice without taking into account regional forecasts of the permafrost state under climate change can multiply the damage from global warming. To solve the problem, it is necessary to restore the system of control, notification and protection of structures, based on the creation of a federal system for permafrost monitoring, including background and geotechnical components, and uniting various departments and economic entities. This measure will significantly reduce the technical and environmental costs of current economic activity in the Russian Arctic.