By arming the Arctic divisions of the Northern Fleet with the S-400 system, Russia plans to establish an anti-aircraft 'dome' in the polar region, the Russian naval commander said on Monday.
Russia is strengthening its military presence in the Arctic by building new infrastructure and renovating its ports as it fights for dominance in a region with vast untapped mineral wealth.
Other countries are also trying to strengthen their presence in the Arctic, raising fears of intensifying geopolitical rivalries. Washington accused Russia of aggressive behavior in the polar region and said that China's moves should be closely monitored.
Russia deployed its S-400 defense systems to the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the far north in September, and the commander of Russia's Northern Fleet said on Monday that similar deployments would be made across the region.
"The plan is that all our Arctic divisions will be equipped with such systems in the coming years, and air defense will be established over the Russian part of the Arctic," said Vice Admiral Alexei Moiseyev.
"This means that the Arctic will be protected from any kind of enemy air attack, be it from aircraft, cruise or ballistic missiles," said Moiseyev in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry's Zvjezda TV station.
Bonus video:
