The impregnable fortress guarding the North Pole
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 18:31 PM (GMT+7)
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Nagurskoye is Russia’s highest latitude base, built in the shape of a “clover”, to ensure Moscow’s permanent presence in the Arctic.
During the Cold War, the Nagurskoye base on Alexandra Land on the Franz Josef Land peninsula consisted of only a small airstrip, a weather station and a communications station. This is one of the most extreme environments in the world, with temperatures of -42 degrees Celsius in winter and snow only melting from August to mid-September every year. However, it has changed skin in recent years, as the infrastructure has undergone a significant renovation with the appearance of a central base in the shape of a clover painted in the colors of the Russian flag, ensuring the life of the people. hundreds of soldiers for more than a year without external resupply.
This is one of three clover-shaped bases above 75 degrees latitude upgraded by Russia, serving plans to expand its presence in the Arctic. The design of the base area helps soldiers not face the cold weather of the Arctic, except when on outdoor patrol missions. The entire combat area and housing are connected to each other. The Arctic is one of the priorities of Russia’s future strategy. President Vladimir Putin has said that the Arctic is an important area for Moscow’s interests as climate change melts the ice, making the area more accessible. He directed the construction of military facilities and increased freight through the Northern Maritime Route located in the north of Russia.
The base is equipped with the Bastion-P shore missile system and many air defense complexes of polar versions with the ability to operate at -50 degrees Celsius. In the photo, two ammunition trucks cum launchers of the Bastion system -P in combat deployment on May 17.
The combat vehicles of the Bastion-P complex move to the gathering position. The system uses supersonic anti-ship missiles P-800 Oniks, has a range of 600 km, speeds twice the speed of sound and carries a 300 kg semi-armored warhead. The export version Yakhont has a range of 300 km and a warhead of 200 kg.
A radar station on the island of Alexandra Land. “Modernization of airfields in the Arctic has helped the Northern Fleet’s air force significantly increase its ability to control the airspace around the Northern Sea Route and ensure its security,” said General Igor Churkin, commander of flight operations at the base, said.
Russian soldiers in white camouflage uniforms stand guard at the Bastion-P missile site at Nagurskoye base.
Russian officers in the central compound at the base.
Russian soldiers outside the fence of a radar station at the base. In March, the Russian military held exercises in Nagurskoye with the participation of many infantry units, while two MiG-31 heavy fighters flew over the North Pole.
Strategic transport Il-76 took the delegation to visit Nagurskoye base. Satellite photos in August 2020 showed that the runway on the island was extended from 2,500 m to 3,500 m, capable of receiving all aircraft in the current Russian military payroll.
Alexandra Land Island seen from the plane.
The Russian icebreaker towed a cargo ship near the island of Alexandra Land.
MA (According to VNE)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: danviet.vn – Read the original article here
