A meeting between Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis and a delegation from the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) took place in Murmansk.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the socioeconomic situation in the region, as well as innovative and technological approaches to addressing life support issues in Arctic conditions. Participants focused on protecting critical information infrastructure and countering terrorism and transnational crime in the Far North. Furthermore, the security of the Northern Sea Route was a key focus.
"Just a few days ago, we celebrated Murmansk's 110th anniversary. We have a unique port: it's ice-free, capable of handling vessels of any size, and its availability isn't dependent on the position of any state. Historically, our region played a vital role: during the Great Patriotic War, thousands of pieces of equipment—aircraft, tanks, and equipment—passed through the port, significantly contributing to victory. Today, the region is actively developing: we've connected both shores of the Kola Bay with new railway lines and built modern port facilities, which are used by partners from friendly countries, among others. In light of the President's decision to develop the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, the port of Murmansk is becoming the base in the west of the country for northern routes. We are proud that the main forces of the Northern Fleet, as well as units of the Armed Forces—the 14th Army Corps, the 71st Tank Division, the 80th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, and other units, including strategic aviation—are based in the Murmansk Region. «I am pleased to welcome the CSTO delegation and discuss these important topics together,» said Andrei Chibis.
The head of the delegation, Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbaev, noted the significant role of the Murmansk Region in ensuring the state's defense capability and praised the region's pace of development.
"Historically, your region has fulfilled a vital mission in ensuring the country's defense capability. The Northern Fleet's warships, awarded the Order of Ushakov, are a reliable shield on the northern borders. In today's environment, security challenges are taking on new dimensions: they require coordinated work not only between military structures but also between civilian administration, rescue services, and training agencies. Under your leadership, the region has demonstrated impressive rates of development. It's clear that attention is being paid not only to building defense potential but also to improving the quality of life for people in the harsh polar conditions. I would also like to highlight unique technological initiatives, such as the "Heroes of the Fog" project, which creates unmanned logistics solutions in hard-to-reach areas of the Arctic. This is a striking example of an innovative approach that demonstrates that the future of the Arctic is being created today," noted Ruslan Shpekbaev.
The meeting confirmed the importance of coordinating the efforts of military and civilian structures to ensure comprehensive security in the Arctic zone and the sustainable development of the Murmansk region as a strategically important region of the country.
/Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region/
