Russian is not militarizing the Arctic, and military bases there serve to protect economic projects, RIA Novosti reported, citing Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Commission for Arctic Development.

"If we launch ambitious economic projects on the Arctic shelf and on developing the Northern Sea Route, it is clear that the economy requires security, so our Armed Forces and special services are charged with certain tasks," Mr. Rogozin said during a joint meeting of the Council for the Arctic and Antarctic of the Federation Council, and the State Commission for Arctic Development.