Final answer:
Oil is the correct answer as Russia's Arctic development has made it a world leader in oil exports, greatly contributing to its economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The economic development of Russia's Arctic regions has enabled it to become a global leader in the export of several natural resources. Given the presence of enormous quantities of oil, natural gas, and other minerals in these areas, particularly in the context of the provided information, Russia has been able to harness these reserves for significant economic gain. The increased prices of energy resources on a global scale have benefited Russia's economic status, making oil a key export.
Oil is the correct answer to the student's question as Russia is a world leader in oil exportation, driven largely by the extraction and development of its vast oil resources in the Arctic and other regions. This has been a major factor in Russia's evolving economic landscape, especially regarding its export profits and government revenues. Contrary to oil's significant role, cotton, while a major crop in some former Soviet regions like Uzbekistan, is not among Russia's leading exports.