On the 80th parallel, on an island called Alexandra Land located between the Barents and Kara seas and north of Novaya Zemlya archipelago, Russia has built a gigantic base that they are calling the “Arctic Trefoil,” or the lobed-tree.
It can house up to 150 soldiers autonomously for up to 18 months and is a three pointed structure with 14,000 square metres of space. This will allow troops to move freely without stepping outside into weather that can reach -57 degrees Fahrenheit.
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With their nearest base south at the 75th parallel, this base shows how much emphasis Russia is putting on gaining more control of the Arctic, which contains valuable minerals and oil.
Russia deployed an air contingent to the region last November, when only a small border outpost existed. However, since construction began, they have greatly expanded the runway to enable cargo planes to deliver building materials.
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From Yahoo:
Moscow (AFP) – Russia’s defence ministry said Tuesday it has built a giant military base in the far northern Arctic where 150 soldiers can live autonomously for up to 18 months.
The ministry said the building erected on the large island of Alexandra Land, which is part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, is 97 percent complete.
Named the “Arctic Trefoil”, or three-lobed leaf, the sprawling three-pointed structure is coloured red white and blue like the Russian flag.
The base is a permanent structure located on the 80th parallel north and has an area of 14,000 square metres (150,000 square feet).
Does the U.S. have to counter this move to not completely lose control of the Arctic? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
