RUSSIA IN THE ARCTIC

            The Cold War may be over, but a chilly conflict is brewing in the icy realm of the Arctic.  Moscow has claimed a huge swath of the Arctic region as its own territory, and has made it clear that it is not hesitant to use military force to defend its position.  These moves occurred in the wake of two Russian expeditions, one to the Mendeleyev underwater chain in 2005, and, in 2007, to the Lomonosov ridge, in which a flag was planted 14,000 feet underwater on August 2 of that year as a symbol of Russian claims.

            The move is far more than symbolic.  Vast deposits of oil and natural gas are within the contested region, along with an extraordinary treasure trove of other raw materials.  Russian oceanographer Vladislav Lavin says that plans to develop the rich Leningradskoye field include use of a manned nuclear-powered submarine.

Moscow alleges that the North Pole is an extension of its continental shelf, which, under the Law of the Sea Treaty, may give it rights over the resources found there.  Under the Treaty, nations have rights to natural resources present on or beneath the sea floor up to 200 nautical miles beyond their shoreline.  This gives the US, Canada, Russia Norway and Denmark claims to the Arctic’s resources. Further rights to claim up to 350 nautical miles from the shoreline for those areas that can be proven to be an extension of the continental shelf are provided, if appropriate documentation is provided to the United Nations. While several nations  (including the U.S.A., Canada, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Russia) have long made claims or border on various parts of the north polar region, only Moscow has demonstrated a uniquely military aggressiveness in doing so, and the worst may be yet to come.  The Lomonosov Ridge, depending on the evidence, could be within the rights of Russia, Greenland or Norway.  Over the years, there have been numerous claims and conferences, such as the Greenland Sovereignty Conference in May of 2008, to address the issue.  Until now, however, the threat of militarizing the disagreement has been kept in check.  

According to Ria Novosti, Russia is establishing a dedicated force “To protect its political and economic interests in the Arctic,” although the article maintained that the nation does not plan to militarize the region. However, it goes on to note that the military will be deployed.  The force, which will be called the Arctic Group of Forces, will be under the aegis of the Russian Federal Security Service.   Ria Novosti notes that the RFSS’s former chief “is a strong proponent of an aggressive state policy in the Arctic,” and that Russian strategic bombers have been carrying out patrols over the region.  Moscow’s policy statement, “Principles for Russian Politics in the Arctic in the Period 2020 and in a Further Perspective” maintains that the nation will establish a “general purpose military force” in the area.  Moscow’s lead in naval icebreakers could give it a decisive edge in any armed conflict. 

In response to Moscow’s looming militarization, Canadian forces have stepped up training for and activities in the region, completing an exercise entitled “Operation Nunalivut” in April.  Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon stressed, on March 11, that Canada is “an Arctic Power” and will defend its interests.  American naval exercises are also ongoing.  In March, Two Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarines, USS Helena and USS Annapolis, participated in an Arctic training exercise.

Conclusion: As oil resources continue to dwindle, the Arctic’s role as a potential flashpoint continues to grow.