From RIA Novosti:  Russia’s economic interests are threatened by the activities of NATO and a number of Asian countries in the Arctic, Navy commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said on Wednesday.

"Currently, a wide range of threats, which may negatively effect Russian economic interests, are concentrated in the Arctic," Vysotsky said.

"Recently, we received confirmation that NATO has marked out the Arctic as a zone of its interests," Vysotsky said.

Vysotsky also said that apart from NATO states, China, Japan, the two Koreas and such "well-known Arctic countries" as Malaysia and Thailand have also intensified their activities in the Arctic.  (photo: RIA Novosti)

Image: ria%207%2026%2010%20Vladimir%20Vysotsky%202.jpg