Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken part in the opening ceremony of new facilities that will allow the country's Vostok study station in Antarctica to work all year round.
The Vostok station was founded on December 16, 1957, and is Russia's only inland study station, located close to the magnetic South Pole. Until now, it has only been able to operate during the summer months.
"I am convinced that the new station will strengthen cooperation between scientists from different countries and will become an open platform for solving pressing problems in the field of studying nature and the environment, and, of course, for promoting joint innovative and scientific programs within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus," Putin said while addressing polar explorers via video link on Sunday.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also participated in the ceremony. Belarusian explorers are currently working together with their Russian colleagues at the station. Lukashenko suggested that Putin and he should visit Antarctica one day.