MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian paratroopers successfully landed on a drifting ice block in the Arctic Ocean for the first time in history, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday.
"For the first time in history, paratroopers from the Ivanovo and Pskov airborne divisions carried out a successful paradrop on a drifting ice block… in the direct proximity to the North Pole together with a contingent from the Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that the paradrop was carried out despite adverse weather conditions and poor visibility.
The paratroopers landed on the ice block together with freight containers weighing 30-50 kilograms (66-110 pounds), which contain everything needed for survival in the Arctic.
After the landing, the paratroopers began fitting out the camp and deploying communication equipment.
