A Mechanism for Ensuring National Security of the Russian Federation in the Arctic

The article is devoted to the research of the mechanism for ensuring Russia's national security in the Arctic. Within the framework of this article, this mechanism is defined as the internal arrangement and the order of the functioning of the system ensuring the country's security. The order of functioning of this system-that is the interaction of all its structural elements-is determined by the existing normative-legal base of the state in the national security sphere. In this connection, the author successively solves two research objectives: to consider Russia's national security system in the Arctic and to analyze the current normative-legal base in the designated area. The article is based on the principle of an inseparable interconnection and interdependence of national security and socioeconomic development of the country, which was set by Russia's National Security Strategy. The first part of the article shows the goals, tasks and functions of the main structural elements of Russia's national security system in the Arctic, which includes the President, the Security Council, the State Commission for Arctic Development within the Government, the Arctic and Antarctic Council within the Federation Council, competent federal ministries, agencies, services, etc. The author points out that Russia's national security system in the Arctic is very effective and capable of solving relevant tasks, but it is more focused on performing protective functions, rather than addressing the problems of socioeconomic development. In the second part of the article, the author analyses the normative-legal base regulating the issues of national security and socioeconomic development of Russia's Arctic Zone. He states that this normative-legal base is very fragmented, being based on a sectoral approach rather than an integrated one. So, it is necessary to pass the comprehensive federal law "On the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation", which would allow Russia to legally define its Arctic as a special object of state administration, not related to the administrative-territorial division of the country. Through passing this law Russian leadership could also strengthen the national security system in the Arctic by adding some new structural elements to it, e.g. the Arctic Support Zones, their applicants and participants, the management company, etc. These elements will doubtlessly further facilitate the socioeconomic development of the region.

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