ST.PETERSBURG. July 8 (Interfax) - Russia will apply for the expansion of its continental shelf in the Arctic in 2009, State Duma member Artur Chilingarov told a press conference on Tuesday.

A similar application was already lodged in 2001 and was followed by a number of Arctic expeditions and studies, and "we are preparing an application for 2009," he said.

Russia's claims in the Artic will be based solely on international law, international circumstances and research knowledge, Chilingarov said.

There is nothing "imperial and defiant" in the Russian flag having been installed on the bottom of the Arctic Ocean last year, he said.

"The flag, just like singing the national anthem, is the symbol of any victory. If Russia won the European football championship, I am sure every house in the country would be decorated with the flag. This is normal," said Chilingarov.