Arctic militarily important for Russia: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin considers military presence in the Arctic an absolutely necessary element of the country's military construction, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

The Arctic continues to be an important region with strong economic potential, and Russia has extensive plans for its development that are being consistently implemented, Peskov told a daily briefing.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Monday that the Department of Defense is "very closely" monitoring Russian military activities and infrastructure build-ups in the Arctic.

In response to the U.S. concerns, Peskov said that Russia also keeps in mind the U.S. presence in the Arctic.

Last month, the Russian Navy conducted the "Umka-2021" (meaning polar bear) comprehensive Arctic expedition, during which three nuclear-powered missile submarines broke thick ice and surfaced from the Arctic Ocean for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy.