Russia's scientific polar team is to meet the Mstislav Keldysh research vessel near Franz Joseph Land to hand over two Mir deepwater submersibles. Pilots and technicians, who took part in the successful North Pole dive, will also board the Keldysh to be t

The ten-day expedition explored the seabed of the Arctic and planted a Russian flag there.

The mission was to collect geological evidence, proving that a vast underwater area of the Lomonosov ridge, rich in oil and gas, is a continuation of Russia's continental shelf.

The trip sparked criticism from Canada and the U.S. The Americans are now sending their own icebreaker to the North Pole for what it calls a pre-planned research mission.