Russian Deputy Defense Minister: Over 4,000 metric tons of scrap metal to be removed from the Arctic
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Astapkovich

Russian Deputy Defense Minister: Over 4,000 metric tons of scrap metal to be removed from the Arctic

The Russian Defense Ministry plans to remove over 4,000 metric tons of scrap metal from the Arctic throughout 2016, Interfax reported, citing Deputy Defense Minister, Army General Dmitry Bulgakov.

"This year we are to collect about 4,600 metric tons of junk metal, of which over 4,100 metric tons will be transported from the Arctic islands to the mainland and recycled," Mr. Bulgakov said.

As the Deputy Minister noted, the amount of scrap metal left in the Arctic due to the Armed Forces activities there exceeded 65,000 metric tons. 

"Specially formed units have removed scrap from 78 hectares. In all, 4,300 metric tons have been collected, 1,800 metric tons removed and 2,500 metric tons have been prepared for transportation," Dmitry Bulgakov noted.