tion-of-Arctic/2741413894698/
MOSCOW, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Russia has begun a large-scale militarization ofthe Arctic Ocean region, with a military command structure planned by 2017.It comes after recent discoveries of oil and natural gas reserves under theocean floor, and the possibility a potential Northern Sea Route -- analternative to the Suez Canal -- could soon be established as global climatechange causes melting of Arctic ice.
Former Soviet bases are being reactivated, a 6,000-soldier permanentmilitary force will be established in the northwest Russia's Murmanskregion, and radar and guidance systems are planned in the area, the Russiannews agency RIA Novosti reported.
Col. Oleg Salyukov said, "For the defense of national interests in theArctic, a multiservice task force will be formed. A motorized rifle arcticbrigade is now being formed in the Murmansk region. The second arcticbrigade will be formed in 2016 and will be stationed in the Yamal-Nenetsautonomous region," a reference to the Arctic Circle area east of the UralMountains, RIA Novosti reported earlier this month.
Combat missions were simulated recently during the full-scale "Vostok 2014"military exercises.
While the oil and gas reserves in Arctic are claimed by some to represent 17percent to 30 percent of the world's total, some are skeptical of Russia'splans.
"It is consistent with the stance of the Russian state, which onlyunderstands the word 'force' in military terms. But you must keep it inproportion; it is still only a symbolic battle. Take a look at the map andyou will soon see that 6,000 men spread over such a huge area is not much,"said military analyst Alexander Golts of the Russian news websiteYezhenedelny Zhurnal.
The Arctic area is governed by international maritime treaties, and Canada,which also has extensive territory in the region, routinely conductsmilitary exercises there. Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, relationsbetween Russia and Ukraine have deteriorated significantly.
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