Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday directed the government to extend the program to strengthen the country's military presence in the Arctic.
The program involves the restoration of military bases and closed administrative territorial entities in the region. "The program should be active at least up until 2030, with the annual financing from the federal budget of at least 10 billion rubles ($118.4 million)."
Putin further stressed that Russia's military capabilities in the Arctic will grow, while also outlining a plan to drive economic growth in the area.
