is beefing up its military presence in the Arctic, sending troops and missiles to strengthen its position in the competition for the region’s extensive oil and gas reserves.

As well as deploying advanced anti-aircraft missiles to the region, President Vladimir Putin is overseeing the completion of six new bases designed to see off foreign competition for the natural resources.

It is estimated that billions of tonnes of oil and gas lie beneath the seabed, which is currently disputed territory.

The Arctic is the only region in the world where borders remain unregulated, and Russia, Norway, Denmark and Canada have all made submissions to the U.N. claiming ownership of the Arctic seabed and its buried treasures.

Mr Putin’s long-term plan includes the construction of some 13 airfields and 10 radar posts in the Arctic, whose assets also include thriving fisheries.

‘The Arctic has a strategic importance for Russia because of its significant reserves of oil and gas,’ Igor Korotchenko, editor of the Moscow-based journal National Defence, told The Times.

‘The conditions are very tough, especially in winter, so these new bases will allow Russian troops to be located there all year, and to control the airspace for hundreds of kilometres around.’

Already, some 150 Russian troops are reported to be seeing in the New Year in the Arctic Trefoil base, which is on the Russian island of Alexandra Land in the heart of the Arctic Circle.

+5

Competition: Russia, Norway, Denmark and Canada have all made submissions to the U.N. claiming ownership of the Arctic seabed and its estimated billions of tonnes of oil and gas. Pictured, a drilling rig at the Val Gamburtseva oil fields in Russia’s Arctic Far North

+5

Claim: The Arctic Circle is the only region in the world where borders remain unregulated, which is sparking international tension over its valuable resources. Pictured, a drilling rig at the Val Gamburtseva oil fields in Russia’s Arctic Far North

Russian’s defence ministry also announced this month that advanced S-400 air defence missiles are being established on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago and at the Arctic port of Tiksi.

The other five military bases, which are nearing completion, are on Kotelny Island in the New Siberian islands, Sredny Island in the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, the Rogachevo settlement on Novaya Zemlya, and Wrangel Island and Cape Schmidt on the Chukotka peninsula.

Russia’s force also includes the warships and nuclear-powered submarines of the northern fleet based on the Kola peninsula, two units of mechanised infantry, snowmobiles and hovercraft.

Experts warned that this indicates that Russia is determined to use its military force, or the threat of military force, to insert itself in the ‘competition’ for resources.

But Russia is not the only nation to have stepped up its military designs on the Arctic.

+5

Force: Vladimir Putin’s plan includes the construction of some 13 airfields and 10 radar posts in the Arctic, whose assets also include thriving fisheries. Pictured, Vladimir Putin on a visit to Alexandra Land in 2010

Struggle: The U.N. is expected to review Russia’s claim to the land, which insists two underwater ledges reaching towards the North Pole belong to its continental shelf, in February

British and American submarines have recently been located in the Arctic Ocean, while Canada has also increased its military presence and President Obama has proposed to launch the U.S. icebreaker fleet.

The Arctic seabed is so vitally important to the competing nations due to an estimated 90billion barrels of oil that lie beneath it.

The region is also said to be home to around 30 per cent of the world’s as-yet undiscovered natural gas.

The U.N. is expected to review Russia’s claim to the land, which insists two underwater ledges reaching towards the North Pole belong to its continental shelf, in February.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3374539/The-new-Cold-War-Russia-sends-troops-missiles-Arctic-Putin-stakes-claim-region-s-oil-gas-reserves.html

60 Comments on "Russia sends missiles to the Arctic as Vladimir Putin moves for oil and gas"

eugene on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 9:39 am 



Would have been nice to see a headline of “nations make military moves for Arctic oil” instead of headlining Russia in our typical warmongering way. Cold War never ended for the US. We continued move on Russia breaking, as always, our agreement.

ennui2 on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 9:43 am 



^^^ News flash. American oil companies have recently backed away from the Arctic. You could say it’s because oil is so cheap these days rather than a concern for the environment, but that’s what’s been happening. So take your Russia apologia elsewhere.

Bob Owens on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 10:37 am 



These are dreams of oil and gas vs the reality of Shell and other companies that are pulling out of the North. After a few dry holes they will also be leaving. In another decade the geologists will be telling them the ugly truth: very little oil and too expensive to get to.

BobInget on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 11:18 am 



Note Putin’s ungloved left hand.
(he’s a closet south paw)
Bettcha he never travels w/o his trusty 545.

http://www.guns.com/2011/10/10/putins-pistol-the-psm-semi-automatic-pistol-in-545mm/

How many world leaders go about packing ?

Dredd on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 11:32 am 



They will live an “interesting” life there, in the sense of the curse “may you live an interesting life” (Watch The Ice Shelves – 2).

Such as figuring out if the sea level will rise or fall there (Proof of Concept – 5).

JuanP on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 11:45 am 



Another MSM tirade against Russia. Russia is obviously entitled to put missiles, military bases, and airports anywhere in Russia as it suits their needs and wants. Russia is, by far, the largest country in the world and it must do everything within its power to defend its territory, sovereignty, and independence.

There is no resource available to the Russians that they should not use to defend themselves from the countries trying to destroy it. This could go full nuclear at some point. I think we are far away from that, but the East-West War continues escalating. I think the West is bullying Russia and the Russians will not back down. Considering how delusional some of the peopel involved are, I don’t see how we can avoid a fight.

Apneaman on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 11:51 am 



Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance

http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat

penury on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 11:55 am 



JuanP,I agree with your comment. I also tire of the constant tirade against the Russians, maybe it would be nice to compare and contrast the actions of the U.S. with those of Russia.

Davy on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 12:07 pm 



What is strange is if the US did the exact same actions as mentioned in this article the tone of the comment feed would be vastly different. I call that double standards.

Apneaman on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 12:12 pm 



The Daily mail is fox news for limey rednecks.

Building infrastructure in the far north gets riskier by the month. Methane blowholes and melting permafrost and glaciers is causing major problems and will only get worse. Oil, gas and mining projects will be abandon.

Russia Warming Over Two Times Faster Than Rest of Planet
Country’s environment ministry issues climate change warning in annual report

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/12/25/russia-warming-over-two-times-faster-rest-planet

North Slope permafrost thawing sooner than expected

http://phys.org/news/2015-12-north-slope-permafrost-sooner.html

In Canada’s far north, warm weather threatens vital ice road

http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKBN0U71F620151225

ennui2 on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 12:12 pm 



“Another MSM tirade against Russia.”

They deserve it.

JuanP on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 12:22 pm 



Of course they do, ennui2, they are evil, wicked creatures with horns and tails, not good, generous, and loving like we are. Why can’t they just see that all we want is to share our democracy, freedom, justice, and equality with them? They must be blind!

GregT on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 1:34 pm 



“They deserve it.”

Another thoughtful and considerate comment from the brainwashed sheep.

Baaaah!

Boat on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 2:46 pm 



In size by GDP Russia is about the same as California. All those natural resources and they squander them for a chance to play world politics.

GregT on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 3:20 pm 



“In size by GDP Russia is about the same as California.”

Good comparison Boat.

Russia has a population of 145 million people, while California has a population of about 40 million people. So obviously California is squandering resources much faster on a per capita basis then Russia, and the last time I checked California doesn’t even “play world politics”. (Whatever the fuck that means?)

dissident on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 3:52 pm 



Gotta love all the “experts” spouting off about Russia’s GDP. Anyone using nominal GDP in dollars is an ignoramus or malicious. The only meaningful comparison of different economies with different currencies is purchasing power parity GDP (PPP GDP). PPP normalizes the prices so that the same goods and services have the same price as the reference country, in this case the USA.

Russia is deploying ABM and other missiles to the north because the USA is deploying its ABM system on ships which will be cruising as close to Russia’s territorial limit as possible. Obviously deploying the ABM “shield” in Europe is not going to be effective against missiles launched near the Urals and Siberia. The purpose of the US ABM “shield” is to neutralize Russia’s nuclear deterrent and give Washington a free hand to do what it pleases.

Rodster on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 4:36 pm 



Russia has every right to defend itself. The West has been expanding NATO without a Soviet threat.

Apneaman on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 4:37 pm 



Boat, it would be awesome if you went on a educational tour to Russia and showed them how to squander resources properly.

US Christmas lights use more energy than entire countries

http://phys.org/news/2015-12-christmas-energy-entire-countries.html

Apneaman on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 4:49 pm 



Boaty, here’s some world class resource squandering in California. And of course it’s all perfectly “normal” and not part of a growing number of industrial fuck ups the world over indicative of a collapsing system.

Massive methane leak forces relocation of 2,500 California families

https://www.rt.com/usa/326942-massive-methane-leak-relocation-california/

Porter Ranch gas leak a catastrophe not seen since the BP oil spill

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/porter-ranch-gas-leak-catastrophe-not-seen-the-bp-oil-spill

makati1 on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 7:05 pm 



The US had 19 military bases in Alaska at last count. Seven of them on the Arctic Coast. If you compare the Alaskan Arctic Coast with the Russian Arctic Coast the Russians should have about 50 Military installations there, not counting the large islands. I’m sure there will be some of those fast intercontinental missiles moved up there when the war heats up. Just a few minutes closer to America.

More Russian bashing by the UK poodles. If you remember, Russia was our friend and ally not less than 17 years ago and all the ‘news’ was positive when the US thought it could rape them and make them subservient to it’s wishes. (Pre Putin) Oh how the rhetoric changes when the subject country does not bend over for the Empire! And what short memories Americans have, IF they have any at all. I doubt it, or they would not be in this mess.

makati1 on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 7:08 pm 



dissident, Washington’s ABM is worthless against the new breed of missiles out of Russia and China. Even the US military supports that fact. Look for your taxes to go up and even more US infrastructure to go unrepaired as the M.I.C. heats up and drools over the increasing war beat.

makati1 on Sat, 26th Dec 2015 7:11 pm 



Bob, If Obama was packin’ he would only shoot himself in the foot. He does that with his mouth every time he opens it. LOL

theedrich on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 3:32 am 



Since ~2 weeks is the average Yankee attention span, almost everyone has now forgotten what Ø and Hotflash Hillary did to Libya.  That nation, formerly led by Qaddafi, abandoned its nuclear program in a bid for world acknowledgement that it was becoming more docile.  Not long thereafter, however, the U.S. regime murdered Qaddafi and turned his country upside down.  While shipping our weapons from there to Syria to repeat our Libyan “success,” our ambassador and his guards there were slaughtered by the locals.  To keep the facts quiet for the required two weeks and allow Ø to be re-elected, the killing was blamed on a video.  This also allowed the regime to ignite the Syrian “civil” war (which, in addition, helped make room for ISIL).

The U.S. population, fixated on entertainment fare as usual, refused to see what was going on.  Not so the other nations of the world — in particular Russia.  It saw that any relaxation of its guard would result in subversion by the Washington regime, à la Libya and Syria.  For Russland, this was not a game;  it was a matter of survival.

Russia also remembers the fact that the fall of the U.S.S.R. was greatly facilitated by then-President Reagan’s covert agreement with the Saudis to flood the oil markets, thereby reducing the price of oil and Russian income therefrom, with Soviet collapse the result.  To Vladimir’s eyes, the current oil oversupply and consequent depreciation, whether intentional or not, looks like something very similar.

Whatever Putin’s sins (which, in contrast to far more massive but concealed U.S. crimes, are not only fewer but broadly publicized in the Western media) may be, he is not a stupid man.  He is undertaking measures which will preserve his country.  These measures include stopping the “color revolutions” in eastern Europe (including Ukraine), assisting in the survival of President Assad in Syria so that the Russian base there may be maintained, and engaging in the exploration and development of fossil-fuel resources in the arctic, among many other things.  He is a leader who puts his country first.

In contrast, we have an incompetent N-word for a prez whose only interest is in extinguishing the White race, preferably by drowning it with imported sludge from the peasant lowlands of the earth.  He imagines that our current nukes and spiderweb of military bases around the world will protect America from any consequences of his Sörös-instigated plan.  But the temperature is rising in this game, and it is not due to global warming.

makati1 on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 7:11 am 



Well stated Theedrich.

Rodster on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 7:31 am 



“Since ~2 weeks is the average Yankee attention span, almost everyone has now forgotten what Ø and Hotflash Hillary did to Libya.”

Not only did Hitlery destabilize and topple Lybya but G.W. Bush topple Iraq, the US along with it’s Allies destabilized Yemen, they set out to destabilize Syria with the future intention of toppling Syria. The West has destabilized Afghanistan and destabilized and toppled Ukraine. They are inching closer to Russia and China.

Only an idiot fucktard moron could connect 2010 climate change to the Syrian refugee crisis.

This destabilization won’t stop until there is “all out war” and it has the potential to go nuclear. That push back has started with Russia and China in the South Seas.

Apneaman on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 11:48 am 



Rodster, sure thing. There is absolutely no evidence in human history of drought leading to poor harvests or any other climate change consequences contributing to human migration. None whatsoever. Who would know better than a health ranger educated spoiled empire baby who thinks everyone the world over can stroll into anyone of tens thousands of Krogers or Safeways or Walmarts and buy dirt cheap franken food 24/7, 365 days a year. Yep no evidence, like a mass migration due to drought in your own country less than a century ago in that tragedy called “The Dust Bowl”. Can’t happen.

Apneaman on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 11:50 am 



Dramatic video of Russian air strikes ‘on Islamic State oil empire’
Footage claims to show convoy of oil tankers being destroyed near Turkish border

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12070100/Russia-releases-dramatic-pictures-of-air-strikes-on-Islamic-State-oil-empire.html

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 12:52 pm 



Do you think that Russia is friendly enough to give CHINA BACK THE SWATHS OF LAND IN SIBERIA that China claims as theirs?

shortonoil on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:11 pm 



Do you think that the US government is friendly enough to give back to the American Indians the land that they stole from them?

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:12 pm 



Do you think that China forgot that Russia just took large swaths of territory in Siberia that belongs to them. Or Is It That China is not militarily ready to take them back. Or maybe they can’t? There might be oil there for the greedy hungry.

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:15 pm 



I GUESS China is dominated by Russia wouldn’t YOU SAY?

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:31 pm 



Maybe the Russian Putin should capture all the countries surrounding Russia and keep against their will. I’m sure they would be trotting on eggshells of hatred. It his destiny but he will never have the confidence of the countries surrounding Russian.

Apneaman on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:39 pm 



Do you think that the Texas government and the other governments of the US Southwest are friendly enough to give back to the Mexicans the land that they stole from them?

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:43 pm 



I’ve yet to hear China’s comments on the lost of Siberia’s land to Russia, or is China afraid of the Russian’s nuclear arsenal?

Apneaman on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 1:53 pm 



angel, why not ring up China and ask them since none of us here are from China or work as representatives for the Chinese government.

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:00 pm 



The American Indian and the people in the United States live in harmony and are by far a lot richer than the Muslim people in your puppet controlled government of Chechnya.

Apneaman on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:14 pm 



You betcha, angel.

One-in-four Native Americans and Alaska Natives are living in poverty

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/13/1-in-4-native-americans-and-alaska-natives-are-living-in-poverty/

The hard lives — and high suicide rate — of Native American children on reservations

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-hard-lives–and-high-suicide-rate–of-native-american-children/2014/03/09/6e0ad9b2-9f03-11e3-b8d8-94577ff66b28_story.html

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:24 pm 



The only reason that China and Russia would go to war against the United States is because all the countries surrounding them wants the United States near them. It’s is to bad that they don’t trust China and Russia.

farmingville on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:26 pm 



Love the Russian bashing so brainwashed. Russia is never going anywhere like it or not and as far as California the last I recalled they claimed bankruptcy already

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:37 pm 



In the United States we have all kinds of help, you can never go hungry here. We also have welfare which is something Russia can’t afford to distribute to other poor nation. The only help they get is weapons.

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:49 pm 



I don’t hate the Russian people. I think that they have a beautiful country and beautiful culture I wish I could go there to visit. I JUST DON’T like the saber rattling. I’m sure the world doesn’t like it.

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:54 pm 



Nice talking to you but I love all the people in this world. We are all here for a good reason I’m sure. Bye

GregT on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 2:56 pm 



http://www.povertyusa.org/the-state-of-poverty/poverty-facts/

In 2014, 47 million people lived in Poverty in the USA. That means the poverty rate for 2014 was 15%.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry

The US remains the leading exporter of weapons and arms, and out of the top ten weapons manufacturers in the world, 6 are American.

Russia is second, with less than half the weapons exports of the US.

GregT on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 3:13 pm 



“I don’t hate the Russian people. I think that they have a beautiful country and beautiful culture I wish I could go there to visit.”

No reason not to visit Russia, unless of course you can’t afford it.

Introducing Russia

The world’s largest country offers it all, from historic cities and idyllic countryside to artistic riches, epic train rides and vodka-fuelled nightlife.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 3:29 pm 



MY mother use to say I love my beautiful Americans native Indians. I agree with my mother and if they are having hardship. All they have to do is come and join us in the city and work like any other American, because UNITED STATES is their country and ours.

angel martinez on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 3:40 pm 



If God permits I will go to visit Russia But only when this fighting stops. I don’t feel safe anywhere in Europe.

GregT on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 4:34 pm 



“All they have to do is come and join us in the city and work like any other American”

So in order for the indigenous peoples of America to not “have hardship”, all they need to do is join the culture that they don’t want to be a part of? Because their indigenous lands are yours and theirs?

“MY mother use to say I love my beautiful Americans native Indians.”

Sounds like your mother also had some issues.

Michael Cane on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 5:28 pm 



No matter what Russians doto build up its force their. The US will just set and watch and do absolutely nothing about it. Its just the way our pathetic system no works with our leader of the so called free world. Imagine a leader that doesn’t even care about his own country anymore…

Michael Cane on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 5:29 pm 



No matter what Russians do to build up its force their. The US will just set and watch and do absolutely nothing about it. Its just the way our pathetic system now works with our leader of the so called free world. Imagine a leader that doesn’t even care about his own country anymore…

makati1 on Sun, 27th Dec 2015 7:39 pm 



Michael, you don’t understand. The object is to destroy the Us so it can be ruled by the world’s elite who are pushing for a one world government and banking system they control (and it will NOT be the US dollar). Obama is NOT in control. He plays golf and reads whatever they put on the teleprompter in front of him. Nothing more.

Europe and the other Western countries are being destroyed for the same reason. All of us have to be on a 3rd world level before their plans can work. No freedoms, not independence, nothing but servitude.

And they are succeeding very well aren’t they? Chaos is their main weapon today. Even in the US.