Languages

Russia to increase Arctic geology research

The nuclear powered icebreaker Sovietsky Soyuz. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Russian nuclear powered icebreaker Sovyetski Soyuz at port in Murmansk.

Russia’s fleet of nuclear powered icebreakers will lead research vessels into the Arctic in a series of missions to detail geological analysis of the seabed.

Location

The aim of the research is to support Russia’s claim to the energy-rich continental shelf beneath the Arctic Sea, Andrei Smirnov, deputy director of the icebreaker fleet told the Associated Press.

Over the next three years a detailed geological analysis of the seabed will be made. Next mission to include an nuclear powered icebreaker and a research vessel will be in June 2010.