Russian Information Agency Novosti
November 5, 2013
Russia Unprepared for War in Arctic
MOSCOW: Russia is unprepared for a war in the Arctic, a government report says.
The country, which has the longest Arctic border, would be unable to quickly respond to an attack in the area, the Regional Development Ministry said in an assessment of risks to economic interests in the Far North.
Russia’s northern border checkpoints are underequipped, and servicemen lack proper training for fighting in the harsh climate, according to the report, released Monday.
The country has embarked on an ambitious plan for developing Arctic areas by the year 2020, including substantial deployment of military units to protect its political and economic interests.
A fifth of Russia’s territory is in the Arctic, but only 1.6 percent of the population lives there.
Local population decline, including among indigenous peoples, climate change and potential environmental damage are among other threats to Arctic development, the report said.
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Russian Information Agency Novosti
November 5, 2013
Russia Starts Building Largest-Ever Nuclear Icebreaker
ST. PETERSBURG: Construction of the largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker began on Tuesday in St. Petersburg’s Baltic Shipyard.
The yet-unnamed ship, to be powered by two nuclear reactors, will be 14 meters (46 feet) longer and four meters (13 feet) wider than the current largest, the 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory), used last month to bring the Olympic flame to the North Pole.
Russia is the only country with a nuclear icebreaker fleet. The record-breaking vessel, being constructed under a 37.9 billion ruble ($1.2 billion) contract, is expected to be floated out in November 2015.
By December 2017, the icebreaker must complete its sea and ice trials and arrive at the Murmansk base of Atomflot, which operates the country’s commercial icebreaker fleet.
“There are no doubts that this work will be completed in due time and with due quality,” Ivan Kamenskikh, the president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, said during Tuesday’s ceremony.
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