Russia verbalizes Arctic naval intentions

The Head of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov emphasized Russia's intention to expand its presence in the Arctic.

As reported by the Barent Observer, he highlighted the importance of the Arctic for national security at the Arctic Forum, the bi-annual Russian conference on the Arctic which was recently hosted in St.Petersburg. The admiral emphasized the importance of the Arctic for Russia and underlined that the region is crucial for national security, expressing the need for a "full-scale expansion into the continental shelf" beyond the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

Yevmenov also stressed the importance of the Northern Sea Route becoming a national transport route. He referred to Russia's development of naval capacities in the Arctic as a "forced measure" in response to what he perceived as aggressive actions from other countries, particularly the USA and its allies.

Admiral Yevmenov is the Head Commander of the Russian Navy, who headed the Northern Fleet from 2015-2019, during which time Russia significantly strengthened its military capacities in the Arctic.