Russian sub plants flag at North Pole-Tass

MOSCOW, Aug 2 (Reuters) A manned submersible planted a Russian flag on the seabed at the North Pole today, Russian media quoted a mission official as saying.

The rust-proof titanium flag was planted on the seabed 4,261 metres under the surface of the Arctic Ocean, Itar-Tass news agency quoted Vladimir Strugatsky, vice president of Russia's polar exploration association, as saying on board a support vessel.

Russia wants to extend the territory in the Arctic it controls right up to the North Pole. The region is believed to hold vast untapped oil and gas reserves.

REUTERS PD HT1545