ABSTRACT
During the Cold War, the Kola Peninsula was considered to be the most important military area in the Soviet Union. It was probably the most heavily armed territory in the world. Since the demise of the Soviet Union, the area has been beset with problems of pollution, radioactive contamination and unemployment. Nonetheless, there is evidence that key elements of the military structure remain operational and it is reasonable to conclude that the Kola Peninsula remains a vital military strongpoint for Russia. The Northern Fleet was already the most powerful of the three fleets located on the western side of the Soviet Union and it is reasonable to suppose that this predominance has, if anything, been enhanced by the Russian Federation. The more important bases for the Northern Fleet are located to the east in the area of Polyarnyy and Severomorsk. Despite having environmental, economic and social problems, the Kola Peninsula remains of vital strategic importance to the Russian Federation.
