Russia to expand its Arctic fleet - Putin

ST. PETERSBURG. Jan 26 (Interfax) - Russia will continue building new icebreakers and other vessels for work in the Arctic, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the ceremony for launching the construction of the Leningrad nuclear-powered icebreaker on Friday.

The president said he recently visited Chukotka, where he talked to local residents.

"People in Chukotka, Yamal, Taymyr, Yakutia, [and] in all our other Arctic regions are looking forward to such new, powerful icebreakers [and] other high ice-class vessels. And we will definitely achieve these tasks consistently; we will expand our Arctic fleet, set ourselves ambitious goals. Undoubtedly, we will work in this area," Putin said.