Speaking at an international forum on Russian innovation technology and the world market, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said the Arctic cannot be developed without satellite communications.

"We are highly interested in developing our entire territory, including the Arctic, but we won't be able to do so without satellite communications," TASS quoted him as saying. He said that solving this task will help create a unique technical potential that may interest other countries in the future.

Rogozin added that before the end of this year the Russian satellite communication and broadcasting group will be completely brought up to date.