Norway seizes Russian Arctic science vessel at Kiev’s request

The Professor Molchanov was the only vessel operating a direct passenger link between the Russian mainland and Svalbard | The Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian research vessel in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz, amid growing tensions between Moscow and NATO states over access to and control of the Arctic. ● The Professor Molchanov was detained on Wednesday while docked in Barentsburg, a Russian settlement on the Norwegian-administered archipelago. The Governor of Svalbard said the move followed an August 31 order by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court granting Naftogaz the right to seize the ship. The vessel has been barred from leaving Barentsburg until further notice.

■  Lawyers work on lawsuit against Norway over Russian ship seizure in Spitsbergen — minister (TASS)

Norway Seizes Russian Ship in Barentsburg on Svalbard | Pål Steigan | Norwegian authorities seized the Russian vessel “Professor Molchanov” in Barentsburg on Svalbard following a request from the Ukrainian state-owned company Naftogaz, according to NRK.

■ According to the NRK article and several other sources (Reuters, Naftogaz itself, TV 2, Aftenposten, and others), this was done to ensure that Russia fulfills its outstanding obligations under an arbitration award. In April 2023, a court in The Hague ordered Russia to pay Naftogaz approximately $4.22 billion plus interest and legal costs as compensation for assets that were expropriated when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

■ The Nord-Troms and Senja District Court granted Naftogaz the right to seize the vessel (ruling of August 31, 2026), and the Governor of Svalbard carried out the seizure on September 2, 2026. The vessel must remain docked in Barentsburg until further notice. This is part of Naftogaz’s global effort to enforce its claim against Russian assets.

■ The district court has thus issued what can only be described as a letter of marque against Russian ships. This is definitely an escalation of the war on the Norwegian side, and it remains to be seen whether it is wise.

■ Russian media (e.g., RT) are describing it as an illegal act carried out at Ukraine’s request, and point out that Russia rejects the arbitration tribunal’s jurisdiction in the Naftogaz case. They also link this to Putin’s earlier warnings (August 2026) that the seizure of Russian ships constitutes “piracy” and that Russia will respond “in kind” where appropriate.

■ This form of warfare at sea has the drawback that it very quickly provokes corresponding countermeasures. Have the Norwegian authorities realized that they are jeopardizing the safety of the Norwegian merchant fleet, or does their support for the regime so blind them in Kyiv that they have forgotten there is such a thing as Norway’s national interests? (DeepL + Grammarly)