03.09.2026 00:40
Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian-owned commercial research and passenger vessel in the Barentsburg mining settlement, operated by Russia in the country's Svalbard archipelago. Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz stated that the intervention was carried out to ensure Russia's compliance with obligations arising from an international arbitration ruling.
Norway has seized a Russian ship at the request of the Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz.
SEIZED TO ENSURE RUSSIA COMPLIES WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION AWARD
In a statement from Naftogaz, it was reported that the Russian-owned commercial research and passenger vessel named "Professor Molchanov" was seized in Barentsburg, a mining settlement operated by Russia in Norway's Svalbard Archipelago.
According to Naftogaz's statement, the seizure decision was issued on August 31 by Norway's Nord-Troms and Senja District Court to ensure Russia complies with its obligations arising from an international arbitration award.
According to the court ruling, the vessel is not permitted to leave its current location. It was reported that the Governor of Svalbard has been tasked with taking necessary measures to prevent the vessel from being moved.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK RUSSIAN ASSETS WORLDWIDE UNTIL COMPENSATION IS PAID"
Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko stated, "Russia cannot evade responsibility by refusing to comply with an international arbitration decision. Until the compensation awarded to Naftogaz and other Naftogaz Group companies is paid, we will continue to track Russian assets worldwide."
Naftogaz noted that it continues its efforts to enforce the arbitration decision with judicial authorities in various countries, including the USA, France, the UK, and Finland, where Russian assets have been frozen.
On the other hand, Russia objected to the process, arguing that no notification regarding the intervention was made to its side.
THE SHIP CONDUCTED VOYAGES BETWEEN MURMANSK AND BARENTSBURG
Reports in the Norwegian press noted that the ship had recently conducted voyages between Russia's Murmansk city and Barentsburg. It was also stated that the ship, built as an ocean research vessel 43 years ago, was later brought into use for commercial research and passenger voyages.
RUSSIA HAD SEIZED NAFTOGAZ ASSETS IN CRIMEA
An arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in April 2023 that Russia must pay the Ukrainian company $4.22 billion, plus interest and legal costs, for Naftogaz assets seized following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Moscow has not yet made the payment.
Naftogaz has been pursuing legal proceedings against Russia since 2016, due to Russia's seizure of the company's assets in the region following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.