Russia announced intention to place troops in the Arctic Region, reports the Kommersant newspaper with the reference to the document published on the official web site of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
      
      The troops are to enhance military security scenario-depended and run optimization of the integrated control system in the Arctic Region including frontier control.
      
      Besides, according to the document, a coast watch service supervised by the Federal Security Service of Russia will be organized in the region to maintain collaboration with the frontier departments on maritime anti-terrorist protection issues, smuggling prevention efforts, illegal migration and water biological resources protection.
      
      It is expected to take three stages to implement the project: the first one – before the end of 2010, the send is scheduled for 2011-2015 and the third will be completed in 2016-2020.
      
      “Russia is determined to keep the role of the leading Arctic power” and prepare all the necessary documents to legally confirm the outer limit of the RF arctic zone, reads the security council's web site.
      
       Russia is going to lodge an application for new outer limits of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean for the UN. In case the UN commission approves the application, Russia will be given a right to exploration of oil and gas fields on the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.
      
      Russian nuclear subs will be used to explore the shelf area and protect resources in the Arctic Region.
      
      source:
      www.lenta.ru