Russian military in North Pole exercises

MOSCOW , Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Days after a Russian flag was planted on the North Pole seabed, Russia's air force began military exercises and cruise missile tests Wednesday in the Arctic.

In Moscow, military spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky told reporters the exercises would last two days and involve the launch of at least 10 cruise missiles, the Novosti news agency reported.

He said various bombers and tankers were involved, and would practice interaction with fighter aircraft, air refueling and overcoming enemy air defenses.

Elsewhere in Moscow, the politician who led last week's expedition to claim Russian Arctic sovereignty by planting a flag on the seabed, Artur Chilingarov said "Russia must win" the international dispute on sovereignty.

The United Nations is reviewing the issue in which Canada, Denmark via Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States claim Arctic sovereignty.