MOSCOW, May 28-RIA Novosti. The intensity of the service of Russian border guards in the Arctic has increased against the background of increased economic activity of the Russian Federation in this region, they have the strength and means to continue to respond in a timely manner to possible changes in the situation, First Deputy Director - head of the Border Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation, Army General Vladimir Kulishov, told RIA Novosti in an interview.
On Friday, Russia celebrates the Day of the Border Guard.
"Our activities for the protection and protection of economic and other legitimate interests in the Arctic are inextricably linked with the national maritime policy implemented within the framework of state programs and strategies for the development of the region," Kulishov said.
According to him, the Border Service has formed a system for monitoring and analyzing the situation in the Arctic seas.
"We regularly organize, conduct and take part in joint anti-terrorist and search and rescue exercises. We support the development of the Northern Sea Route, participate in ensuring the safety of navigation, exploration and exploitation of energy resources, " Kulishov added.
The intensification of economic activity associated with an increase in the volume and intensity of transportation of hydrocarbons along the Northern Sea Route, as well as the development of the infrastructure of seaports and oil and gas fields, led to an increase in shipping in the Arctic by 16%, which required border guards to make certain adjustments to their official activities, Kulishov said.
For this purpose, patrolling of transport communications and fishing areas in the waters of the Kara and Bering Seas, as well as in the areas of the Svalbard archipelago and the regulation of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) has been organized with the use of border ships and aircraft of the FSB of Russia, the head of the Border Service added.
In comparison with 2019, the duration of the service of the ships increased by 230 days, and the number of flights of the FSB aviation increased by almost 1.5 times, Kulishov noted.
"The available forces and means allow us to further increase the intensity of the service in order to respond in a timely manner to changes in the situation in the region. So any surge of tension on our northern borders will be leveled, " he stressed.