Looks like future resource wars may be fought in places other than the
Middle East....
Barry
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13997324
1 July 2011 Last updated at 17:39 ET
Russia plans Arctic army brigades
Warmer temperatures are making access to the Arctic easier
Russia's defence minister has said he plans to create two specialist
army brigades to be based in the Arctic.
The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said
Russia would strongly defend its interests in the region.
The brigades could be based in Murmansk, Arkhangelsk or other areas,
Russian news agencies reported.
Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia had studied the specialist Arctic troops
in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
The BBC's Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, said Russia's plans to increase
the number of troops stationed in the Arctic still seem to be at an
early stage though earlier announcements had mentioned only one brigade.
"The General Staff is currently working on plans to create two such
units," Mr Serdyukov was quoted as telling media by state news agency
Itar-Tass.
He said his ministry was still in the process of working out
specifics, such as troops numbers, weapons and bases, but a brigade
includes a few thousand soldiers.
Just this week, Mr Putin said that Russia would "expand its presence
in the Arctic" and "strongly and persistently" defend its interests.
At the same time he promised to look after the region's vulnerable
ecology.
It is believed that there are substantial unexploited reserves of gas
and oil under the Arctic Ocean.
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