Such media openness contrasts markedly with Russia's traditional military secrecy. However, the tour does not show any new military hardware.
The Arctic Trefoil permanent base is in Franz Josef Land, a huge ice-covered, desolate archipelago.
The Russian military sees the resource-rich Arctic as a key strategic region.
President Vladimir Putin visited the new base, on Alexandra Land, last month.
It is built on stilts - to help withstand the extreme cold - and will house 150 personnel on 18-month tours of duty. Winter temperatures typically plunge to minus 40C.
Covering 14,000sq m (151,000sq ft), it is the second Putin-era Arctic base to be built for air defence units. The first base to be completed was Northern Clover on Kotelny Island, further east.
A military airstrip is also under construction in Franz Josef Land, called Nagurskoye.
Russia is building four other Arctic military bases - at Rogachevo, Cape Schmidt, Wrangel and Sredniy.
Experts say the melting of Arctic sea ice - generally attributed to climate change - is making the polar seas more accessible for shipping. That could make it easier to prospect for untapped energy and minerals in the region.
The 360-degree virtual tour shows the main living quarters at Arctic Trefoil, including a central five-storey atrium. The "trefoil" name refers to the main block's three wings.
The base is self-sufficient in electricity, and equipped with a clinic, library, chapel, gym and cinema.
A military expert quoted by RIA news agency, Col (Rtd) Viktor Litovkin, said Russia was pursuing several strategic goals in the Arctic:
- Control of international shipping on the Northern Sea Route, including providing alerts about icebergs and severe weather
- Protecting Russian oil and gas resources in the Arctic
- Defending Russia against any intrusion by foreign warships and missile threats.
Original Article
Source: msn.com
Author: BBC News
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