In January 2007, he led a helicopter expedition to Antarctica, he was joined by FSB chief Nikolay Patrushev and visited the South Pole and Amundsen-Scott station. During the 2007 Russian North Pole expedition, Chilingarov, accompanied by five other explorers from different countries, descended on 2 Mir submersibles to the seabed 13,980 feet below the North Pole in order to plant the Russian flag there and gather specimens of the seabed. In regard to the territorial claims in the Arctic, Chilingarov was quoted as saying, "The Arctic is Russian. We must prove the North Pole is an extension of the Russian landmass". In July 2008, Russia announced it was sending Mir submersibles to descend one mile to the bottom of Lake Baikal to conduct geological and biological tests on its unique ecosystem. Chilingarov is scheduled to join in 60 dives in total. On 29 July 2008, Chilingarov took part in a dive to a depth of 1,580 meters in Lake Baikal, just short of the record 1,637 meters. On 10 January 2008, Chilingarov was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for "courage and heroism displayed in extreme conditions and for the successful completion of the High-Latitude Arctic Deep-Water Expedition." In August 2009, he revealed a planned Arctic expedition for April 2010. Chilingarov plans to fly on dirigible AU-30, manufactured by the Aeronautic Centre Avgur. In December 2012, Chilingarov supported the anti-Magnitsky bill to ban U.S. adoptions of Russian orphans, although he said earlier that there was no need to rush the legislation: "It concerns children, and you have to be accurate with it” Awards Hero of the Russian Federation (9 January 2008) – for courage and heroism displayed in extreme conditions, and the success of high-latitude Arctic expedition Hero of the Soviet Union (14 February 1986) – for exemplary performance targets for the release of the research vessel Mikhail Somov from the ice of Antarctica, leadership in rescue operations during the period of drift and displaying courage and heroism Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 3rd class (12 June 2007) – for active participation in legislative activities and the success of high-latitude air expedition to South Pole Order of Naval Merit (27 January 2003) – for outstanding contribution to research, development and use of the oceans Order of Lenin Order of the Red Banner of Labour Order of the Badge of Honour Honoured meteorologist of the Russian Federation