RIA Novosti reports that the North Pole research station launched in April will stop its operation ahead of schedule due to a lack of ice. The announcement was made by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Sergei Donskoi.

“In making the station operational this year, we have to take into account the current condition of the ice, which is not very favorable. This year we face a reduction in the level of ice coverage, which is why the station will be closed early,” Mr Donskoi said.

According to the Minister, the station will be closed earlier than planned. “This year, the North Pole station will stop operations earlier than usual due to the ice conditions. But we must open it anyway,” he pointed out.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier that military transport aviation had started delivering freight to the North Pole to equip the North Pole 2015 station. In all, over 50 metric tons of equipment, fuel, a generator, food, a tractor, and 15 crewmembers will be transported to the station.