Russian troops undertake exploration of large Arctic island

Five Vityaz DT-30P heavy ATVs such as this one are taking part in an expedition on the Novaya Zemlya island in the Russian Arctic. (eng.mil.ru/Public domain)
Five 30-ton heavy ATVs are making their way around the Novaya Zemlya (Russian Arctic) as part of a major exploratory effort of the Northern Fleet.

The expedition on Sunday had a break on the southwestern coast of the archipelago. Where the river Savin runs into the Kara Sea, a helicopter landed with a delivery of fuel and new-baked bread, the Northern Fleet’s press service informs.

On this very spot, explorers in 1833 found an Orthodox cross believed to have been erected by Savva Lozhkin, the 18th century seafarer, the Northern Fleet says.

This is heavily militarized areas under strict control of the Russian Armed Forces. Few kilometers away are sites for extensive nuclear weapons testing during the Soviet period. And the secrecy of the area persists. The country’s Armed Forces are believed to continue to this day with new weapons testing in the area.

Elite soldiers

The expedition on the 6th of June set out from Rogachevo, the military airbase on the western coast of the island. The day before, the last of five Vityaz DT-30Ps was flown in with an Il-76 aircraft. The more than 30 ton heavy ATVs will take the expedition members about 850 km of through the wilderness of the southern of the two Novaya Zemlya islands. It will last more than 20 days.

About 30 servicemen from the Northern Fleet’s infantry and coastal forces are part of the team. They are among the best prepared contract soldiers and have all undergone special training in extreme Arctic conditions, the Northern Fleet says.

Historical interest

Of special interest are military sites and facilities built during the Second World War, as well as the Soviet period. Up to eight stops each with a duration of 2-5 days are planned. They are believed to be made on sites such as bases and infrastructure developed by German occupiers during the war, as well as abandoned Soviet post-war Navy facilities in the area.

Also several historical sites from the 19th century will be visited.

“This Northern Fleet expedition […] is aimed at studying historical experiences made during the acquisition of the Novaya Zemlya and take full advantage of this for the interests of Arctic security”, Head Commander Nikolay Yevmenov says.

Sover nuclear testing area

The Novaya Zemlya is the biggest of Russia’s Arctic archipelagos. The lion’s share of the area is untouched and clean Arctic lands. However in parts of the southern island there is still considerable contamination from the nuclear weapons testing.

Between 1973 and 1975, the island was used for larger underground nuclear tests. Of the seven detonations that took place in the area, several ventilated radioactive gases to the atmosphere because the explosions were not deep enough in the ground. From 1976 to 1990, all underground nuclear tests took place at the northern test-range in the Matochin Straight. Since 1990, only so-called sub-critical nuclear tests have been conducted at Novaya Zemlya.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Canada extends air defence monitoring zone to entire Canadian Arctic, Radio Canada International

Finland: Skiing skills on thin ice for some Finnish conscripts, YLE News

Norway: Will NATO save important air base in Norwegian Arctic?, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: PHOTO REPORT – Abandoned Russian airbase to become wealthy residential neighborhood, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Small town hopes to reverse depopulation trend affecting rural and Northern Sweden, Radio Sweden

United States: American fighter jets intercept Russian bombers outside Alaska, Alaska Public Media

Atle Staalesen, The Independent Barents Observer

For more news from the Barents region visit The Independent Barents Observer.

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