By stepping up their military activity in the Arctic, the United States and NATO increase the likelihood of incidents that can lead to tensions escalating out of control, Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia Nikolai Patrushev said.  

“The West has long been implementing a system of political, legal and economic measures in Russia’s Arctic zone, measures aimed at disrupting our Arctic development plans, including at contesting the Russian sovereignty over the Northern Sea Route. The West goes out of its way to change the military and political configuration in the Far North, including with the help of some extra-regional players,” he told a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development of the Navy.

He added that NATO countries were active in drilling surface and submarine warfare in the high latitudes and honing expeditionary and sabotage-and-reconnaissance operations.

“The more frequent NATO ship calls to the Barents Sea and aircraft flights in the vicinity of Russian bases are particularly worrisome. This surge in US and NATO military activities increases the likelihood of incidents, something that may lead to tensions spiraling out of control,” Mr. Patrushev said.