The Scientific Ice Expedition '99 is part of a five-year scientific mission between the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Navy to learn about the geology, physics, chemistry and biology of the Arctic.

CNN: Nuclear sub dives under the ice to explore climate change

It could play an important role in cold climates for search-and-rescue, scientific exploration and expedition support.

BBC: Polar express

Yet the scientific value of Mr Chilingarov's expedition was negligible compared with its political value, says Lev Savatyugin of the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

ECONOMIST: Ventures into the near-abroad