, April 5 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the base of Atomflot FSUE in Murmansk, including the Headquarters of Marine Operations of the Northern Sea Route General Administration, Federal State Budgetary Institution (NSR General Administration FSBI). The purpose of his visit was to see the present state of North Sea Route operations.

Sergey Zybko, Director General of NSR General Administration FSBI, reported that at the time of Putin's visit, 50 ships were navigating the waters of the Northern Sea Route (the NSR), with a group of nine nuclear and non-nuclear icebreakers in operation.

The comprehensive development of the Russian Arctic is a national strategic priority. Increasing NSR traffic is crucial for the success of the o...