A monument to polar explorer Yury Kuchiyev will be installed in the central part of the capital of North Ossetia, Sputnik news agency reports. The monument will be cast in bronze and will be at least three meters high. The sculptor wanted to emphasize the Arctic explorer's greatness.  

"The monument will be put up on Kotsoyev Street," Sputnik reports, quoting Alania TV channel. "The sculptor was chosen from among the country's top 30 sculptors. The jury approved a sketch by prominent Moscow artist Yury Zlotya." The scale model of the sculpture was presented in Vladikavkaz on November 9. 

Yury Kuchiyev was the captain of the nuclear ice-breaker Arktika. His vessel was the first in the world to reach the North Pole on August 17, 1977. This expedition earned Kuchiyev the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.

Georgy Yepkhiyev, Kuchiyev's friend and colleague — the two men come from the same place — put forward the idea to erect a monument. The veteran Arctic explorer continues to collect documents seeking to achieve another victory as he is confident that the most powerful modern ice-breaker should be named after the legendary captain.