Russian military build first Arctic runway for all sorts of aircraft
© RIA Novosti. Aleksandr Liskin

Russian military build first Arctic runway for all sorts of aircraft

The Russian Defense Ministry’s personnel have built a runway on Alexandra Land Island, the Arkhangelsk Region, suitable for all types of aircraft.

“It is important to point out that the Northern Fleet is constantly operating its fighters from Arctic archipelagos’ airfields. We continue to expand the military infrastructure on the Arctic islands and on the Arctic Ocean’s coast,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed members of the Defense Ministry’s Board.

The 3,500-meter runway was completed last year, according to Defense Ministry reports.

Russia has never built such long runways in its Arctic regions before. The new facility will therefore be used by strategic aircraft.

Temp airfield is nearing completion on the New Siberian Islands Archipelago, and the construction of a military town for the 3rd Air Defense Division in Tiksi, Yakutia, is in progress.