Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia has “significantly increased” its military presence in the Arctic Circle, according to the Defence Secretary.
Ben Wallace arrived in Norway to confront the Kremlin army that had gathered near the top of the world.
Putin has set his sights on the frozen region, with the murderous dictator seeking to control trade routes and natural resources there.
Mr Wallace revealed that more troops have been sent to the Arctic as a result of the invasion, as Putin continues to provoke the West.
It comes as British and NATO forces collaborate on training missions for Cold Response 2022, the largest winter exercise in 30 years.
“The High North and Arctic are critical areas for the Nato alliance to demonstrate our shared defences and support for broader European security,” Mr Wallace said.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been accompanied by an increase in Russian military activity in the region.”
“Exercises like Cold Response highlight our unity and purpose as a defensive alliance, as we train alongside forces from Europe and North America.”
A crack team of Royal Marines has been practising small boat launches from Royal Navy submarines among the forces training in the Arctic.
“Being able to move sub-surface gives us a discrete means of moving our specialist teams to any coastline in the world,” said the team leader of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron.
A FEMALE Russian sniper with 40 kills was captured last night after being abandoned on the battlefield, according to reports.
Irina Starikova, 41, is reported to have told her Ukrainian captors that she was left to die after being wounded. She fought alongside Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.
