Russian icebreaker embarks on Arctic expedition

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian diesel-electric icebreaker Kapitan Darnitsyn on Friday, August 3 night left Murmansk port and headed for an expedition to find evidence supporting the country’s claims for a ridge in the Arctic Ocean, the Federal Agency for Marine and River Transport said, according to RIA Novosti.

The vessel will reach Kirkenes, Norway, on Saturday where Russian diesel-run ice-breaker Dikson is docked. On August 6, the both vessels will head to the Arctic Ocean.

The expedition will explore the high-latitude boundaries of Mendeleev Ridge. If researches establish that the ridge is continuation of Russia’s continental shelf, the country will obtain the priority right to develop its natural resources.

The expedition is expected to last about two months. The Kapitan Dranitsyn will engage in mapping of the seabed and the Dikson will collect seismic data, conduct geological and geophysical research.

Russia sent the first expedition on a similar mission in 2010. For several years, the country used the Akademik Fyodorov research vessel assisted by nuclear-powered icebreakers. It is now the first time Russia uses diesel-run icebreakers for these operations.