The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to the provocative actions of NATO countries in the Arctic

Russia records the transformation of the Arctic into a zone of military rivalry and the provocative actions of NATO countries in the region. This was stated to journalists on September 1 by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

According to the diplomat, the North Atlantic Alliance is increasing the number of exercises and flying strategic bombers. In addition, NATO has launched a military operation called the Arctic Sentry, is developing purchases of Arctic-class weapons and moving infrastructure to the north.

"We see how the procurement of weapons, including those designed for the Arctic class, is developing. We see how the NATO infrastructure is moving north," Grushko said.

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that Norway had abandoned the self-restrictions that had ensured security in the region for decades. According to him, this creates additional opportunities for projecting power to the Russian North. Grushko also noted that the states with which Russia has been cooperating for many years within the framework of the Arctic Council are not ready to behave rationally now.

Russia takes into account the risks posed by NATO on the water, on land, in the air and in space in its military planning. Grushko clarified that in response to the artificial confrontation provoked by the West, decisions have already been taken on the restoration of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts, as well as on the deployment of the Karelian Corps.

Separately, the diplomat touched upon the issue of energy security. He said that the West's attempts to prevent Russia from extracting oil and gas in the Arctic for export would not be successful.

"We understand what their main goal is. The aim is to prevent either the development of deposits or the production of deposits on world markets. They won't succeed," the deputy minister concluded.

Connecting to the North: NATO is preparing for offensive operations in the Arctic

In response, Russia is strengthening its military capabilities in the region and protecting the NSR.

On the same day, Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Department of European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that NATO continues to militarize the Arctic, which increases the risks of escalation in the region. At the same time, he called the Arctic a former region of peaceful and constructive cooperation.