The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is searching for sources to continue the cleanup of the Arctic, the TASS news agency reported, citing Natural Resources Minister Sergei Donskoi.

"The situation [in the economy] is difficult, and now we have to seek some compromises and forms of optimization while planning the budget. But the Arctic is a priority project for us, so we're searching for all possible sources to continue the cleanup here, including at the expense of not only the Natural Resources Ministry, but also other agencies," the minister said.

Mr. Donskoi noted that the military makes a significant contribution to the cleanup. "The military removes various waste from the places where they have set up, including barrels and waste iron that have accumulated there for many years," he said.

In addition, the regions are also involved in the cleanup, with the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area cleaning Bely Island and other Arctic islands.

"I hope that all of the Arctic regions will join the cleanup, and that the authorities will support them. We'll implement public-private partnership, which would be more efficient in the current situation," he added.