The Arctic is the only region in the world where borders remain unregulated, and Russia, Norway, Denmark and Canada have all made submissions to the U.N. claiming ownership of the Arctic seabed and its buried treasures.

Mr Putin’s long-term plan includes the construction of some 13 airfields and 10 radar posts in the Arctic, whose assets also include thriving fisheries.

‘The Arctic has a strategic importance for Russia because of its significant reserves of oil and gas,’ Igor Korotchenko, editor of the Moscow-based journal National Defence, told The Times.

‘The conditions are very tough, especially in winter, so these new bases will allow Russian troops to be located there all year, and to control the airspace for hundreds of kilometres around.’