The Russian Defense Ministry completed outfitting of four military bases on the islands of the Arctic Ocean, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, according to Interfax.

"The outfitting of four military bases has been completed on the islands. An airfield and a garrison on Alexandra Land are under construction, as well as military facilities on the islands of Kotelny, Wrangel and Sredny, Novaya Zemlya, on Cape Schmidt and in the village of Alakurtti," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry Board.

Shoigu added that the ministry is taking steps to ensure environmental cleanup in the Arctic is carried out. According to the minister, this is part of a comprehensive development program for the Arctic zone from the Arkhangelsk Region to the Far East and Arctic Ocean islands.