Russia demands ‘immediate release’ of vessel seized by Norway

**Russia demands release of vessel seized by Norwegian authorities in Svalbard**

The Russian government has demanded the “immediate release” of the *Professor Molchanov*, a Russian research vessel seized by Norwegian authorities on Wednesday, September 2. The ship was detained at the request of the Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz as part of an effort to secure compensation for assets seized following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.

The seizure was executed by the governor of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago located approximately 1,000 kilometers south of the North Pole, following an August 31 court order. In 2023, a Hague-based arbitration tribunal ruled in favor of Naftogaz, awarding the company $4.2 billion in compensation. Norway recognizes the validity of this ruling.

The *Professor Molchanov*, which is primarily used for expedition cruises, is currently docked in Barentsburg, a Russian-operated mining settlement in Svalbard. The governor’s office stated that the vessel will remain at the quay pending further decisions from the courts or the governor’s office.

In response to the seizure, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Russia, Heidi Olufsen, to lodge a “strong protest.” The ministry stated that it “categorically rejects” the seizure and criticized what it described as an “intensification of Norway’s actions aimed at curtailing the legitimate Russian presence on the archipelago.”

The Russian embassy in Norway characterized the seizure as a “politically motivated violation of international law” and confirmed plans to appeal the decision. “We demand the immediate release of the vessel and that the safety of the passengers and crew be ensured,” the embassy stated.

Norwegian officials maintain that the government is not a party to the dispute. Frank Lynum, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Ministry of Justice, stated that the governor of Svalbard is legally obligated to enforce court rulings. “This applies to all cases of attachment and enforcement, regardless of the parties involved,” Lynum said, noting that the matter is being handled through standard judicial procedures.

The Russian embassy has raised concerns regarding the vessel’s role as a supply channel for Russian settlements in Svalbard, noting that current sanctions imposed by Norway following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine have limited logistics.

Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that recognizes Norwegian sovereignty while granting nationals of signatory countries the right to exploit natural resources on an equal basis. Russia maintains a coal mine in Barentsburg, home to approximately 350 residents, as well as a smaller settlement in Pyramiden.

The Norwegian government maintains that the rights granted under the 1920 treaty do not exempt foreign nationals or companies from complying with Norwegian laws and regulations.

Article and image source: thelocal.no