Putin makes huge move to control Arctic Circle with nuclear fleet 'for war on NATO'

Russia is preparing for war with NATO by amassing attack submarines and nuclear weapons in the Arctic Circle, according to Norway's Defence Minister. Tore Sandvik said his country was aware of increased weapons development on Russia's Kola Peninsula.

The peninsula is home to Russia's Northern Fleet and is where part of the Kremlin's nuclear arsenal is kept. The Norwegian minister also warned that Vladimir Putin wanted to gain full naval control of the Arctic region. This would make it easier for Russia to cut off Nato's access to major shipping routes that would help resupply Western forces in wartime.

"Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ... where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located," he told the Telegraph in an interview.

"They [the nuclear weapons] are not only pointed towards Norway, but towards the UK and over the pole towards Canada and the US."

The Kola Peninsula lies on Russia's extreme northwestern flank in the Arctic Circle.

The Northern Fleet is being used to test new Russian weapons and to help expand Putin's nuclear capabilities, according to the Defence Minister.

Norwegian officials also believe that Putin is trying to exert total control over two vital shipping routes that would be critical supply lines in the event of a war.

The first is a stretch of water between mainland Norway and the island of Svalbard, known as the Bear Gap. Russian ships have to pass through this stretch of water to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

The second is the so-called GIUK Gap, a pair of naval choke points between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom.

Mr Sandvik said Putin needs to control the Bear Gap to ensure he can use his submarines and Northern Fleet.

The Russian president also wants to stop NATO countries from gaining access to the GIUK Gap.

He added that the Arctic Circle is likely to become the next "main security theatre" after the war in Ukraine.