Defense minister Shoigu’s speech in the Extended Board of the Russian Defense Ministry might enter the history books for its level of aggressiveness in relations with western neighbors. No wonder, the text was immediately available in five languages on the website of the Armed Forces. Interestingly, not in Chinese, however.
In the address delivered to President Putin and the top brass of the Russian Armed Forces, Shoigu accused the USA and NATO of encroaching on Russian national security. He claimed that U.S. mercenaries are preparing provocations including ‘chemical substances’ in eastern Ukraine and that they build ‘shooting positions in housing quarters and significant social objects.’ […]
However, the speech of the Russian defense minister included also a mention of another region, normally far more quiet than the Black Sea area. According to Shoigu, the Arctic is of increasing strategic importance and major efforts are made to enhance capacities in the region.
The building of two new military Arctic bases are now completed, the minister said with reference, most likely, to the Nagurskoye in Franz Josef Land and the Kotelnoye in the New Siberian Islands. In addition, the reconstruction of five Arctic airfields are coming to an end, and air defense units are on high preparedness along with forces operating coastal missile complexes.
“The implemented measures has allowed us to confidently seal off the Arctic borders of Russia from aggressive military activities of foreign countries,” Shoigu underlined. Läs artikel