The President of Russia Vladimir Putin gave an instruction to get the Northern Fleet fully operational from 8:00 a.m. Moscow time, as RIA Novosti reported with the reference to the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

      In addition, a sudden check of the combat readiness of individual divisions of the Western Military District and the Airborne Troops has begun. According to Shoigu, the activities involved 38,000 military men, 3,360 units of military vehicles, 41 ships, 15 submarines, 110 planes and helicopters. In late February Shoigu stated that a permanent military presence in the Arctic was an integral part of the overall policy of ensuring national security. In particular, he admitted that there was a possibility of armed defense of national interests in the Arctic.