TWO deep-diving Russian mini-submarines descended more than 4km under North Pole ice to stake a flag on the ocean floor yesterday, as part of a quest to bolster Russian claims to much of the Arctic’s oil-and-mineral wealth.

Russia’s state-controlled OAO Gazprom natural gas monopoly today accused Ukraine of diverting about $25m (€21m) worth of Russian gas intended for customers in other European countries, Russian news agencies reported.

At least three people were killed and dozens trapped under rubble when an explosion destroyed part of a apartment building in northern Russia today, officials said.