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Russian Military Strategies in the High North
Ch. 6. P. 80–99.
Valery Konyshev, Sergunin A. A.
In contrast with Western perceptions of Russia as an expansionist power in the Arctic, this chapter argues that Moscow does not seek military superiority in the region. Moscow’s military strategies in the Arctic pursue three major goals: first, to ascertain Russia’s sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the region; second, to protect its economic interests in the North; and third, to demonstrate that Russia retains its great power status and still has world-class military capabilities. The Russian military modernization programs are quite modest and aim to upgrading the Russian armed forces in the High North rather than providing them with additional offensive capabilities or provoking a regional arms race. Moscow favors soft rather than hard power strategy in the Arctic.
