"Developed countries, including those that have no access to the Polar Circle, have rushed to the Arctic. Some of them are trying to expand their territories by putting forward groundless claims for parts of continental shelf and islands in the Arctic Ocean," Pankov said addressing cadets of the military University in Moscow.
"Therefore, a wide range of potential challenges and threats to Russia's national security is emerging in the Arctic region," Pankov stressed.
The Russian Defense Ministry is an active participant of national projects aimed at the development of the Arctic region, along with scientists, businessmen and environmental organizations, he added.
In July 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a revised maritime doctrine prioritizing the protection of national interests in the Arctic. The doctrine stipulates the reduction of threats to national security in the region and maintaining Russia's leading position in the region's development.
In October, eight Arctic states, namely Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, created the Arctic Coast Guard Forum to promote cooperation and security in the region.
