Russia begins a “large-scale” scientific expedition in the Arctic

March 26 () –

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry has announced a “major Arctic research expedition” in which some 20 pieces of equipment created to solve security problems in the region will be tested.

The expedition, which includes the use of airplanes, will have more than 70 people who will travel through snowy territory and coastal ice surface with full autonomy, as reported by the Russian agency Interfax.

The tour will start in the city of Naryan-Mar on March 26 and end in Salekhard on April 7, a 1,600-kilometer, 12-day journey that will cross the Komi Republic and the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Oblasts. This event is the first of its kind to take place in a decade.

Both NATO and Russia announced last summer the increase in their presence in the Arctic due to the growing tension between the two parties.