[2] He also explored the northern coast of Russia, searching for a maritime trade route to China[3] and the East Indies.
[2] He sailed for Kholmogory in Russia, but the English, who were already established there, denounced him as a spy to the Russian government, and he was imprisoned for several years at Yaroslavl.
The Russian authorities built two ships to do the same, and recruited Brunel to travel to Antwerp and hire crews.
While the Dutch government provided no financial support, he piqued the interest of Balthazar de Moucheron, and the "first Netherland [sic] Arctic voyage was undertaken in 1584".
"[2] Brunel then convinced the king of Denmark to commission him to search for long-lost colonies in Greenland, but after three failed attempts, he gave up.