Russia deploys new radar stations in Arctic

Russia is deploying new radar stations on its islands in the Arctic Ocean, with Russian fighters aircraft expected to arrive there soon, the deputy commander of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces said on Saturday.

Such moves are intended to defend Russia’s interests in the region, Maj. Gen. Kirill Makarov said.

"We talk a lot about Russia's increasing its presence in the Arctic. The armed forces do not stand aside. As of today, we have deployed new weapons such as Pantsir air defense systems on the islands in the Arctic Ocean; we are deploying new radar stations and fighter jets will arrive there soon."

In 2013, Moscow unveiled a strategy aimed at increasing its presence in the Arctic and boosting the region's development by 2020.

The following year, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would build a unified network of military facilities in its Arctic territories to host troops, advanced warships and aircraft, as part of the plan to boost the defense of national interests and borders in the region.

The head of the National Defense Management Center, Lt. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said in October that Russia was planning to build at least 13 airfields, an air-ground firing range and ten radar and vectoring posts in the Arctic region.