In the face of increasing militarization of Russia, the United States has warned that it will defend its interests in the Arctic

The Pentagon warned on Monday that the United States has its “interests” in the Arctic and that it will defend them against a increased militarization in the region by Russia.

According to the United States, Russia “seeks to strengthen its security by remodeling Soviet-era airfields, expanding its network of air and coastal defense missile systems and strengthening its capabilities” to prevent the ‘access to the area. The Pentagon made this position public after the CNN will publish satellite images of these Russian bases in arctic territory, all within their national borders.

Washington believes that Moscow has adopted this strategy in the face of the rapid thaw in the Arctic, which opens up new transit routes and removes the natural barriers that Russia relied on for protection.

“We are obviously looking at that, and we have national security interests there that we must protect and defend.Pentagon spokesman John F. Kirby said at a press conference. “Strategic competitors may engage in malicious or coercive activity in the Arctic in order to advance their objectives for these. regions. The Pentagon must be prepared to protect the national security interests of the United States by taking appropriate action in the Arctic.“He added.

The CNN It showed satellite images of seven military bases in the Arctic, the most easterly of which was Murmansk, near the Norwegian border, and Providenya, the closest to Alaska (United States).

The others would be located in coastal points such as Rogachevo or Anadyr or islands like Alexandra, Kotelny and Wrangel. These images show a strengthening foundations over the past five years and in some a central construction shaped with the colors of the Russian flag: white, blue and red.

According to CNN, Russia would use these bases to develop a weapons program that would include the Poseidon 2M39 torpedo, equipped with a nuclear reactor.. This torpedo is said to be designed to pass undetected coastal defenses, such as those in the United States, the channel said.

The Russian response

“The Commander-in-Chief considers Russian military presence in the Arctic is an absolutely necessary part of military (capability) development. The arctic zone is a very important region for the Russian Federation, ”Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at his daily press conference call.

“The same goes for our borders and our economic zone. The economic potential is increasing year by year and there are vast development plans in the arctic region which are being systematically implemented.“Added the press secretary of the Russian president, Vladimir Poutine.

He also felt that the United States had a similar position in defending its own interests in the Arctic. “Regarding the concerns of our American colleagues, We must not forget that the United States has never given up its military presence in the Arctic region, it has never ceased to pay attention to it.. And we have always taken into account and started from the fact that we cannot ignore this essential region, ”Peskov stressed.

NATO concerned about Russian activity

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday expressed the “grave concern” of the military alliance over the Upcoming Russian military activities from Ukraine, and stressed its support for the sovereignty of Kiev.

Stoltenberg said he called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “to express serious concern about Russia’s military activities” near the Ukrainian border and continued ceasefire violations.

“NATO strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We remain committed to our close partnership, ”Stoltenberg said in a message on Twitter.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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