Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military on Tuesday to boost its presence in the Arctic and complete the development of military infrastructure in the region next year, RIA Novosti reports.
“I request that you pay special attention to the deployment of infrastructure and military units in the Arctic,” RIA Novosti quotes Putin as saying at an expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry Board.
Putin said Russia is actively developing this promising region and should have all means for protection of its security and national interests there.
Arctic territories, believed to hold vast untapped oil and gas reserves, have increasingly been at the center of disputes between the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark as rising temperatures lead to a reduction in sea ice.
Russia has made claims on several Arctic shelf areas and is planning to defend its bid at the United Nations.
