03/09/2026
🎙️ Comment by Ambassador of Russia to Norway Nikolay Korchunov to Russian and Norwegian regarding the arrest of the vessel ‘Professor Molchanov’ in Spitsbergen (September 3, 2026)
The Embassy regards the arrest of the Roshydromet vessel ‘Professor Molchanov’, operated by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise ‘Trust ‘Arktikugol’’, as a politically motivated violation of international law.
It took place pursuant to a ruling by the District Court of Northern Troms and Senja in ex*****on of a decision by the Hague Arbitration Tribunal, whose jurisdiction in the case brought by Naftogaz is not recognised by the Russian side, which did not participate in the proceedings.
Furthermore, the fact that this ruling was issued on the eve of the ‘Professor Molchanov’s’ arrival in Svalbard and was made public precisely whilst the vessel was in Barentsburg clearly indicates the coordinated and deliberate nature of this action.
The lawyers will appeal against the Norwegian court’s decision and defend Russia’s interests in the legal arena. We proceed on the basis that, in the further consideration of the case, the provisions of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty and the special legal regime of the archipelago must be taken into account, given that, against the backdrop of Norway’s imposition of illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions on Spitsbergen and the resulting disruption to other logistical routes the ‘Professor Molchanov’ remains, in effect, the sole lifeline for Russian settlements on the archipelago, whose economic activities are conducted in strict accordance with the Treaty.
In this regard, we demand that Norway fulfil its obligations under the Treaty, including treating other parties to the Treaty non-discriminatorily and refraining from using the archipelago as a means of exerting pressure in disputes unrelated to it.
The Russian Embassy in Oslo and the Consulate-General in Barentsburg are in contact with the vessel’s crew and passengers, some of whom are minors. They are currently in the Russian settlement and are being provided with the necessary assistance. The Embassy is in contact with the Norwegian authorities, including the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Governor of Svalbard.
❗️We insist on the immediate release of the vessel and the ensuring of the safety of its passengers and crew.
🔗 Published in Russian, Norwegian and international media:
https://tass.ru/politika/28076019
https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/8pWGzW/russland-reagerer-kraftig-paa-at-politiet-paa-svalbard-onsdag-tok-et-russisk-skip
https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/russisk-nyhetsbyra_-russland-reagerer-sterkt-pa-arrestasjon-av-skip-pa-svalbard-1.18012620