The Russian Geographical Society's Expedition Center has been preparing for the Barneo 2016 integrated Arctic expedition, the center's website reports. The center's specialists are testing the expedition equipment and machinery, which include tractors and power units.

Since 2001, the Barneo Ice Camp has been set up annually in early April on drifting ice floes in the Arctic Ocean. The science center for Arctic research is operational for one month.

Helicopters will take off for the ice floe site on March 18.