Abstract: The Arctic region is an internationally important area of concern, with increasing strategic significance for Russia. Through political, economic and military methods, the Russian government strives to be one of the core countries in this region. In 2008, the Russian government formulated the “Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic for the Period up to 2020 and Beyond”, aimed at maintaining the status of Russia as "the leading country" in the Arctic. The key elements in the Russian Arctic policy and the series of initiatives implemented by Russia in the Arctic regions, are analyzed in view of the economic, legal, military and geopolitical ramifications. Additionally, the differing attitudes from the current Russian policy in the polar regions and the earlier “Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation 2020” signed in 2001 are compared. Finally, the prospects of implementation of Russia's Arctic policy objectives are assessed.

Key words: Arctic strategy, military, geopolitics, prospect