Russia sends troops to claim arctic resources

Russia signalled its determination to win the race for the Arctic's mineral wealth yesterday by announcing plans to establish military bases along its northern coastline.

A new national security strategy includes plans to create army units in Russia's Arctic region to “guarantee military security in different military-political situations”.

The strategy, approved by President Medvedev, declares the Arctic to be Russia's most important arena for “international and military security” in its relations with other countries.

A coastguard unit of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB, is planned to advance Russia's policy in the region. The strategy calls for the creation of an intelligence network to provide “effective control of economic, military, (and) ecological activity” in the Arctic.

The strategy document produced by Russia's Security Council says that pursuit of the region's oil and gas resources is a vital national objective in the years to 2020.

The Kremlin's case is challenged by the other Arctic states - Canada, Norway, Denmark and the United States. Despite Moscow's insistence that it was not “militarising the Arctic”, the new strategy comes as friction with its rivals increases.

Dmitri Rogozin, Russia's envoy to Nato, yesterday ruled out any co-operation in the Arctic with the military alliance. “If someone believes that one will be able to breathe easier in the Arctic if countries that have nothing to do with the Arctic region become involved, in my opinion such a position is totally absurd,” he said.

“This topic will not be included in the agenda of co-operation between Russia and Nato ... there is nothing for them to do there.”

The Times