A high-ranking military, official Russia must be ready to fight wars in the Arctic to protect its national interests in an Arctic region that contains large and unused deposits of natural resources.

Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov, who heads the Defense Ministry’s combat training directorate said, “After several countries contested Russia’s rights for the resource-rich continental shelf in the Arctic, they have immediately started a review for their combat training programs for military units that may be sent to the Arctic in case a battle occurs.”

Under the Law of the Sea, coastal states can declare an Exclusive Economic Zone stretching 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the shore, but this area can be extended if it is a part of the country’s continental shelf or shallower waters. Some Arctic shelves extend for hundreds of miles, creating the possibility of overlapping defensive claims of whose property is whose.

Last year in late August, as part of a scientific expedition, two Russian mini-subs made a symbolic eight-hour dive beneath the North Pole to reinforce the country’s claim that the Arctic’s Lomonosov Ridge lies in the country’s economic zone. A titanium Russian flag was also planted on the seabed. This made countries furious. Russia went ahead and did this without consulting any of the other arctic Regions first. If you ask me that is unethically and does not makes them look like they are out for themselves and only themselves. This is a way to create distrust and rivalry. Not a good decision Russia. Russia first claimed the territory in 2001, but the UN demanded more evidence.

The expedition irritated a number of Western countries, particularly the U.S. and Canada. They also stepped in to voice their disapproval on Russia’s action. What are their political leaders in Russia thinking? Isn’t Russia big enough? Concentrate on the people and towns who need financial help. Stop focusing on melted ice COM ‘on now!!!

The general said wars “are won or lost long before they start” and combat training was crucial for the success of any future military operations.

“The Americans recently conducted the Northern Edge 12-day large-scale exercise in Alaska, involving about 5,000 personnel, 120 aircraft and several warships. Russia could not ignore such a show of military force near vital Arctic regions. They are very controlling don’t you think? Not to friendly if, you ask me!

The Defense Ministry would drastically change its approach to the combat training of highly professional military units in the Leningrad, Siberian and Far Eastern military districts, which could participate in potential conflicts in the Arctic. Don’t these countries know that they are setting themselves up for war?

In addition, two expert groups were closely studying combat training models based on computer-assisted combat simulations that have been adopted by some foreign militaries.

Russia may suggest to the defense minister setting up a company-level fully computerized training center at one of the former testing sites.

Russia’s General Staff is planning to determine the new arrangement and size of the Armed Forces by the beginning of July.

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry has already announced plans to expand the presence of the Russian Navy in the world’s oceans, including the Arctic, and extend the operational range of submarines deployed in the northern latitudes. This scares me because it sounds like the chances of combat are high and for what melted ice, a few extra miles of property for their country. I do not see the sense in it.

All I’m saying is give peace a chance. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in world of peace. Where greed wasn’t an issue, but caring for your young one’s was…