Russia's defense minister says a military unit will be permanently stationed in the Arctic by 2018, the Associated Press reports.

The Kremlin announced its intentions to bring its military to the Arctic in 2008 but has yet to station troops there.

Sergei Shoigu told Russian news agencies on Thursday, October 22, that the "creation and arming" of the Arctic military unit should be completed by 2018. Shoigu also said Russia is building several new bases in the Arctic as well as rebuilding six Soviet-era air bases there.

Russian officials have previously stated that the air base facilities are essential for protecting shipping routes that link Europe with the Pacific region across the Arctic Ocean.