A little-known Institute of Expert Estimations concerned with the socio-cultural development of Russia has suggested to rename the Arctic Ocean into the Russian Ocean, to stress Russia's paramount role in exploring the Arctic region.  

      According to the Institute's spokesperson, renaming the ocean will be "logical and fair": 

      "This would serve justice to the great maritime power that does not merely occupy the largest extent of territory in his this water region, but that is also the richest in proven offshore mineral resources, as well as the fleet, and that  the water is not just the largest extent of territory, but also the richest in proven offshore mineral resources, as well as the most numerous fleet, and leads the explorations in this oceanic region, unique in its climatic features".

      The Russian border is the longest in this region, the expert notes, and although this is the world's smallest ocean, it comes second after the Pacific Ocean by the number of islands - most of which also belong to Russia. Last but not least, Russian or Russia-based explorers have for decades led the scientific expeditions in the region. All these are sufficient reasons to rename the ocean, the spokesperson concluded.

      While the Institute of Expert Estimations plans to address the idea to the Russian Government, the representative of "Memorial" human right organisation was not amused, saying that such suggestion comes across as an unbridled national patriotism.

      Several countries claim possessions in the Arctic Ocean, which is called the Northern Ice Ocean in Russian, namely: Russia, the U.S., Denmark, Norway, and Canada. Iceland, although included in the Arctic Basin, does not have claims for ownership. The legal status of the continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean has never been decided.