The Russian Armed Forces facilitate the solution of the environmental problems in the Arctic, said Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.

He said that the major clean-up in the Arctic has been conducted since 2010 by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Defense Ministry and the Russian Geographical Society. Over these years, 47,411 steel barrels with a total weight of 1,744 tons have been removed from Alexandra Land Island; 54,100 steel barrels with a total weight of 2,154 tons have been removed from Graham Bell Island.

The Russian Arctic will return to its pristine state. The presence of the armed forces does not interfere with these efforts and even contributes to them, Ivanov said during a press briefing at The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue international forum.

The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue International Arctic Forum was held in Arkhangelsk on March 29-30, 2017. This year's main theme is People in the Arctic. The forum aims to bring together international organizations, government agencies and scientific and business communities from Russia and other countries to coordinate policies on developing international cooperation, consolidate efforts to ensure the stable development of the Arctic and to improve the living standards of the Arctic population.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin attended the event.