Russian subs may be used to back Arctic claims
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOSCOW - Russia could use navy submarines to help claim and protect resources in the disputed Arctic region, a top admiral was quoted as saying Monday.
Vice-Admiral Oleg Burtsev told the RIA Novosti news agency that submarines from Russia's Northern Fleet could be involved in efforts to stake Russia's claim to the polar region.
Russia, the United States, Canada and other northern countries are trying to assert jurisdiction over the Arctic, which is believed to contain huge oil and natural gas reserves.
In 2007, two Russian civilian mini-submarines descended to the Arctic seabed to collect geologic and water samples and drop a titanium canister containing the Russian flag.
Burtsev, the Russian navy's deputy chief of staff, was quoted as saying authorities hadn't decided yet whether to use robotic underwater vehicles or submarines to stake claims on the Arctic shelf.
"In any case, Northern Fleet submarines will be used to either explore or protect Arctic territories adjacent to Russia," he was quoted as saying.
Burtsev added that Russian submariners have vast experience in making cruises under the polar ice as part of their combat training, the report said.
The 2007 Russian mission exacerbated the controversy over an area that is believed to contain as much as 25 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and gas. The dispute has intensified amid growing evidence that global warming is shrinking polar ice, opening up new shipping lanes and resource development possibilities.
Russian officials said that more missions were needed to gather evidence to support the claim that an underwater mountain range crossing the polar region is part of Russia's continental shelf.
Russia first submitted the claim in 2001 to the United Nations, but it was rejected for lack of evidence.
Russian subs may be used to back Arctic claims
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Originally Posted by Ishoss
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I support the Danish and Norwegian claims 
