“The navy will take on the task to deal with counter-terrorism protection, defense and handle the security of the hydrocarbon shipping routes” Ivanov said during his visit to Murmansk region this week.

According to the minister, the Northern Fleet has been ordered to provide security on the Barents Sea shelf, BarentsObserver reported. “Speaking about the North, our country has already pretty serious plans for the development of the huge oil and gas fields in the Barents Sea. The leadership of the Northern Fleet is well acquainted with these plans”, he added.