OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2008. The message of congratulations reads: “I congratulate you on your victory, and on being the first in history to reach the North Pole during the arctic night.

You have once again convincingly demonstrated enormous human resources, spiritual strength, perseverance and conviction, and done so in the darkness and in overcoming all the difficulties encountered on this thousand-metre long road to reach the summit of the planet. This success is the natural result of your courage and the high degree of professionalism among polar pilots who work using the most up-to-date technologies.

I wish you new achievements for the benefit of Russian science and all the best.”