ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday took part via video link in the keel-laying ceremony for the nuclear-powered icebreaker Stalingrad at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg, TASS news agency reported Tuesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Putin outlined Russia's strategic priorities in the Arctic, emphasizing the need to strengthen the country's long-term presence in the region.

He said that it is important to fully unlock the country's logistical potential and ensure the development of a promising trans-Arctic transport corridor from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

The Stalingrad, measuring 173.3 meters in length, is the new universal nuclear-powered icebreaker of the Project 22220 series, capable of breaking ice up to 2.9 meters thick, according to TASS.

The Project 22220 icebreakers are designed to ensure year-round navigation in the western Arctic and to operate for several years without refueling.

Their variable-draft design allows them to navigate both deep Arctic waters and the shallow sections of the Yenisei River and the Gulf of Ob, supporting transport along the Northern Sea Route.

Putin noted that the development of Arctic port infrastructure, along with the expansion of the nuclear icebreaker fleet, directly contributes to improving living conditions in Arctic cities and settlements by creating new jobs and supporting comprehensive regional development. Enditem