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Russia to increase 16,000-strong force defending its Arctic regions

VYTEGRA, July 05. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia has a more than 16,000-strong force to protect its Arctic regions from emergencies and ensure safe and secure life in them, Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov said on Saturday, July 5, as he unveiled a new rescue training centre in Vytegra, northern Vologda Region.

“The force covering the Arctic area, including federal, regional and local executive bodies’ capabilities, has more than 16,000 personnel and keeps growing,” the minister said.

He noted that the Emergencies Ministry was intensively developing the system for managing and ensuring the safe and secure life of people in the Arctic area.

Puchkov said the ministry was planning to open 10 Arctic rescue centres. Three of them have already been created and “seven are under construction”, he said.

The new centre in Vytegra will not only promptly respond to emergencies but will also train rescuers, conduct research for the development of safety and security systems, and carry out rehabilitation programmes. It will also test new rescue equipment and technologies in the North.

The centre has a staff of 250 people and will work in cooperation with the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.