Northern Fleet hydrographers have discovered and explored some previously unknown islands that have emerged in the wake of a retracting glacier in the area of Novaya Zemlya, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the Northern Fleet's press service.

"Our radar spotted some previously unknown islands in the Novaya Zemlya area, formed in the wake of a retracting glacier. A subsequent visual inspection of the islands was carried out by a hydrographic ship, The Vizir," the report says.

Throughout 2016, the Northern Fleet's hydrographic service has been exploring the short-distance maritime zone and the Franz Josef Land, New Siberian Islands and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos.