Arctic ice declined to 4.8 million square kilometers in September, the head of Russia's meteorological service said on Friday.
"According to our estimates, the ice surface is around 4.8 million square kilometers - 600,000 kilometers less than in 2007," Alexander Frolov said.
"The Arctic is still very warm, especially in its western part, and it is still free of ice," Roshydromet's head told RIA Novosti, citing the service's latest study.
In July, Frolov said the Arctic could be free of ice during the summer in the next 30 or 40 years.
MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti)
