A strategic Arctic sea route could become Vladimir Putin's latest weapon against the West, with experts warning Russian control of the potential 'chokehold' would leave Britain vulnerable to hypersonic nuclear strikes.Known as the Bear Gap, the roughly 400-mile-wide gateway serves as Russia's access route from the Arctic into the North Atlantic.It lies on the western flank of the Kola Peninsula, where much of Russia's nuclear arsenal is based and where the Kremlin's Northern Fleet is concentrated.Norwegian defence minister Tore Sandvik said the area has become increasingly significant as Russia expands its military capabilities in the Arctic and deploys submarines more frequently near Nato waters.Speaking to The Times, Sandvik warned that Moscow could seek to dominate the region as part of a strategy to shield its nuclear forces while improving naval access to the Atlantic.'It's homeland defence for the UK,' he said. 'If Putin gets control of the northern part of Scandinavia, if he can control the Bear Gap, this is a direct threat against the UK.'If you cannot track the submarines, if you cannot hold the northern part of Nato, then we all are under threat from Russia. This is the same for the Americans. It's homeland defence.'