The message reads, in part:
“Your holiday is a reminder of bright and truly unforgettable events in our history. The world’s first drifting station North Pole-1 started operating precisely 85 years ago. Since then, our country has achieved major impressive results in the development of the high latitudes thanks to the hard and selfless work of several generations of geologists, meteorologists, pilots, sailors and construction professionals.
Today we are beginning a new, breakthrough stage in the exploration of Polar regions. The St Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyard is completing the construction of a unique ice-resistant self-propelled platform, The North Pole, which will be used to conduct large-scale research projects and collect vital information about the Arctic environment and the prospective development of the North Sea Route. In addition, we are creating a state permafrost monitoring system, which will help us deal with the consequences of climate change, environmental disasters and industrial accidents.
Of course, Russia is also consistently increasing its presence on the White Continent. This is the task of the staff of the Russian Antarctic Expedition, who are working at five year-round stations, seasonal field bases and research vessels. The staff at Vostok, our only station on the continent, are creating a modern complex, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, which will ensure Russian researchers decent living conditions and the means to successfully implement the necessary geophysical, glaciological, medical and other programmes.”