MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. Russian Defense Ministry units involved in environmental cleanup of Arctic islands have by now collected over 3,600 metric tons of metal scrap, exceeding expectations, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Army General Dmitry Bulgakov said Wednesday.

"More than 3,600 tons of metal scrap has been collected, 3,200 tons of it at the island part, and work is ongoing," Bulgakov said.

He said 10 Defense Ministry units, specially formed for environmental cleanup of the Arctic, are conducting work to demolish old and dilapidated buildings and structures, re-cultivate soil and scrap collection, including metal barrels from under various liquids.

All metal scrap is subjected to hydraulic presses and taken away by auxiliary vessels from among the Northern and Pacific fleets to mainland for further disposal. Environmental waste is also taken away by vessels of civil ship companies that deliver material resources to Arctic islands.

"Some 1,600 tons of waste has been taken away from the islands," the deputy defense minister said.

Work is conducted at the islands of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, Kotelny and Wrangel Island. More than 170 servicemen and several dozen items of various equipment have been allocated to fulfill the tasks.