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Tuesday, 02 December, 2008, 23:30 GMT | more >>

Russia plans for Arctic stampede


News services

A senior Russian military figure, General Vladimir Shamanov, says Russia has been preparing for a conflict following the contest of several nations over Russia’s claim to a large swathe of the Arctic shelf last year.

Moscow’s claim on the Arctic - with its untapped bounty of oil, gas and minerals - is disputed by the four other Arctic nations, the US, Canada, Norway and Denmark.

"After several countries contested Russia's rights for the resource rich continental shelf in the Arctic, we have immediately started the revision of our combat training programmes for military units that might be deployed in the Arctic in case of a potential conflict," Shamanov told Sky News.

"Wars are won or lost long before they start."

Arguments over who controls the Arctic are becoming more confrontational.

Russian analyst Yevgeny Volk from the Heritage Foundation, says tensions will get worse in the years to come.

"Russia is full of resolve to establish its presence in the Arctic by all means - economic, political and military," said Volk to Sky News.

"Its military presence will be used as a deterrent against attempts by others to gain more influence. And of course it is a sign that Russia is ready to use military force if necessary."

The Arctic is one of the last places on the planet not to have been tapped for its mineral wealth.

Underneath the ocean it is thought there are enormous deposits of oil and gas - some experts estimate as much as 25% of the world's resources.

As global warming continues to melt the polar ice caps the possibility of exploiting the region's energy treasure chest grows.


Wednesday, 02 July, 2008, 11:20 GMT  | last updated: Wednesday, 02 July, 2008, 11:22 GMT

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