Arctic policy of Russia
On the 1st of October 1987, Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev delivered the Murmansk Initiative. This speech outlined six goals for the Soviet Union's Arctic foreign policy. The first goal was to establish a nuclear-free zone in Northern Europe. A second goal called for reducing military activity in the Baltic, Northern, Norwegian and Greenland Seas. The initiative also proposed cooperation on resource development. It suggested forming an international conference on Arctic scientific research coordination. Environmental protection and management were listed as key areas of cooperation. Finally, the plan included opening the Northern Sea Route.
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development identified eight Arctic Support Zones along the coast. These zones are Kola, Arkhangelsk, Nenets, Vorkuta, Yamal-Nenets, Taimyr-Turukhan, North Yakutia and Chukotka. Funds and projects will be focused on these specific areas. In the North Yakutia area, the project includes reconstruction of the Tiksi sea port. Reconstruction of the port of Zelenomysky is also planned there. The Arkhangelsk zone will see construction of new infrastructure. The aim is fostering the economic potential of the Northern Sea Route. Officials want to ensure that the Russian presence will not be limited to resource extraction alone.
Modern Russian territorial claims to the Arctic officially date back to the 15th of April 1926. The Soviet Union claimed land between 32°04'35"E and 168°49'30"W at that time. This claim specifically only applied to islands and lands within this region. On the 15th of September 2010, Foreign Ministers Jonas Gahr Støre and Sergei Lavrov signed a treaty. They effectively divided the disputed territory in half between Norway and Russia. Both countries agreed to co-manage resources where their national sectors overlap. Informal talks began in the 1970s about determining a boundary in the Barents Sea. Russia wanted the boundary to be a line running straight north from the mainland. The two countries had already been co-managing fisheries since the 1978 Grey Zone Agreement.
In 2014, the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command was established. The Russian Northern Fleet is headquartered in Severomorsk, in the Kola Gulf on the Barents Sea. As of 2013, this fleet included approximately 35 submarines and six missile cruisers. The flagship Petr Velikiy is a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. In June 2008, the Russian Military announced plans to increase the operational radius of its Northern Fleet submarines. On the 16th of July 2011, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov announced plans for two new brigades. These brigades would be stationed in the Arctic region. A statement approved by President Medvedev on the 18th of September 2008 called for improved military forces. The goal was to ensure military security in that region while strengthening existing border guards.
The first drift station, North Pole-1, was established on the 21st of May 1937. Russia is the only country that uses these research facilities seasonally deployed on drift ice. Drifting station North Pole-38 was established in October 2010. In July 2011, the icebreaker Rossiya began conducting seismic studies north of Franz Josef Land. This mission aimed to find evidence to back up Russia's territorial claims. The Akademik Fyodorov and the icebreaker Yamal went on a similar mission the year before. Over the summer of 2015, Russia built a large Federal Security Service Border Guard base on Alexandra Land island. This complex can house a company of 150 soldiers for up to 18 months without re-supply. Recent research has focused on studying the Lomonosov Ridge to collect evidence for seabed claims.
The Northern Sea Route stretches from the Barents Sea to the Bering Strait through Arctic waters. Travel along this route takes only one-third the distance needed to go through the Suez Canal. Currently goods are transported along the Northern Sea Route every year. Traffic through the Route is expected to increase tenfold by 2020. Six tankers have already gone through in 2010. The Russian government estimates that annual cargo traffic could reach 85 million metric tons. However, using the Northern Sea Route extensively will require vast expansion of infrastructure. In August 2011 Nikolai Patrushev stated that poor infrastructure hinders development there. Recent economic sanctions weakened the NSR's viability for foreign investors. In 2014 the overall number of voyages across the passage fell dramatically from 71 to 53.
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Common questions
What was the Murmansk Initiative and when did it occur?
Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev delivered the Murmansk Initiative on the 1st of October 1987. This speech outlined six goals for Soviet Union Arctic foreign policy including establishing a nuclear-free zone in Northern Europe.
Which eight Arctic Support Zones does Russia identify along its coast?
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development identified eight Arctic Support Zones along the coast: Kola, Arkhangelsk, Nenets, Vorkuta, Yamal-Nenets, Taimyr-Turukhan, North Yakutia and Chukotka. Funds and projects focus specifically on these areas to foster economic potential of the Northern Sea Route.
When did modern Russian territorial claims to the Arctic officially begin?
Modern Russian territorial claims to the Arctic officially date back to the 15th of April 1926. The Soviet Union claimed land between 32°04'35E and 168°49'30W at that time applying only to islands and lands within this region.
Where is the headquarters of the Russian Northern Fleet located?
The Russian Northern Fleet is headquartered in Severomorsk in the Kola Gulf on the Barents Sea. As of 2013 this fleet included approximately 35 submarines and six missile cruisers with the flagship Petr Velikiy being a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser.
What research facilities does Russia use for Arctic exploration?
Russia is the only country that uses drift stations seasonally deployed on drift ice starting with North Pole-1 established on the 21st of May 1937. Recent research has focused on studying the Lomonosov Ridge to collect evidence for seabed claims while building bases like the one on Alexandra Land island.