The airfield located at Novaya Zemlya archipelago is ready to service combat aircraft, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the representative of Western Military District (WMD), Oleg Kochetkov.

"In the network of maneuvers the logistics support specialist of the WMD have successfully prepared the airfield for landing of combat aircraft, servicing the vehicles, filling aircraft with fuel, nitrogen and oxygen, as well as preparation of the fighters and pilots for the next sortie", — Kochetkov said, adding that the crews of MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors have already been trained to land at the airfield.

The representative said that the logistics support specialists then moved to an airfield located in Murmansk Region to participate in maneuvers dedicated to rapid repair of airfield damaged by the enemy fire. Over 150 people and 20 special-purpose vehicles were involved in the maneuvers. At the same time the maneuvers of WMD’s composite regiment were held in Arctic Region.

Russia plans to strengthen its positions in Arctic Region in both military and political area as well as finance and economics. In April 2014 President Vladimir Putin ordered to create a unified system for deploying advanced surface ships and submarines there, tighten the border control and establish a new governmental body responsible for implementation of the Russia’s policy in Arctic Region. In March 2014 an assault battalion of the Russia airborne forces comprising 350 soldiers landed at New Siberian Islands (Arctic Region). In August 2014 the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian air forces, Viktor Bondarev, told journalists that Temp airfield located at Kotelny Island will soon be able to service all types of aircraft.

In 2014 Russia plans to expand its military presence in the Arctic Region. Task Force 99 will be deployed at Kotelny Island and the 80th separate motorized rifle brigade – in Alakurtti settlement (Murmansk Region). In addition, radar stations and tactical air direction centers will be created at Alexander I Island (Franz Josef Land), Novaya Zemlya, Wrangel Island and Schmidt peninsula. It is also planned to reinforce the border-security forces of the Federal Security Service. The reconstruction of air defense infrastructure located in the Arctic Region will be completed by October 2015.