Russian Construction Agency to Put 70 Arctic Sites in Commission Until 2017

Over 70 Russian military facilities in the Arctic will be put in commission before the end of the year.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Over 70 Russian military facilities in the Arctic island of Alexandra Land will be put in commission before the end of the year, the Russian federal agency for special construction Spetsstroy said Monday.

"As part of the works on the island of Alexandra Land, more than 70 buildings and structures will be put into operation before the end of December 2016," Spetsstroy said in a statement.

It noted that key social and infrastructure objects have been put into operation on the island in the Franz Josef Land Archipelago. These include a 36-person amenity building, a diesel power plant, a water treatment plant, a waste disposal site and storage containers, among other facilities.

Spetsstroy added that it had completed installations for the Northern Fleet’s radar units and air defense direction centers.

Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu has landed on Alexandra Land earlier on Monday to inspect the Northern Fleet military personnel’s combat readiness and air defense divisions.

In December 2014, Moscow unveiled a revised military doctrine that prioritizes the protection of national interests in the Arctic.