Putin Calls For Improved Russian Military Infrastructure In Arctic

Russian President Vladimir Putin said a new agency should be set up to implement Russia's policy in the region.

President Vladimir Putin has called for improving Russia's military infrastructure in the Arctic.

Putin said a unified system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines should be created in the region.

Putin was speaking at a meeting of his Security Council on April 22.

Putin described the world as "dynamically changing," and said this "is fraught with new risks and challenges to Russia's national interests, including in the Arctic."

The president said a new agency should be set up to implement Russia's policy in the region.

The Arctic is one of the world's richest regions in oil and natural-gas fields. Putin said Arctic zones claimed by Russia are believed to hold significant amounts of such resources.

In recent years, Russia has been increasing its military presence in the region, where it has competing territorial claims with other countries, including Canada and Denmark.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax