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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Russia demands ‘immediate release’ of vessel seized by Norway

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russia demanded the immediate release of the research vessel Professor Molchanov after Norway seized it in Svalbard under a court order sought by Naftogaz.
  • Naftogaz is seeking $4.2 billion from Russia over assets seized after Moscow annexed Crimea, and a Hague tribunal ruled in the Ukrainian company’s favor in 2023.
  • Norway said Svalbard’s governor had to enforce the court ruling, while Russia called the seizure politically motivated and said it would appeal.

Russia has demanded the “immediate release” of a vessel seized by Norway in the Arctic at the request of Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz.

Norway seized the Professor Molchanov on Wednesday in Svalbard under an Aug. 31 court order. The vessel, mainly used for research and expedition cruises, remains at the quay in Barentsburg, a Russian-operated mining settlement, while the governor or Norwegian courts consider the next step.

a politically motivated violation of international law

· Russian embassy in NorwayThe embassy used the phrase to condemn Norway’s seizure of the vessel.

Naftogaz is seeking $4.2 billion in compensation for assets Russia seized after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. A Hague-based arbitration tribunal ruled for Naftogaz in 2023, and Norway recognises that decision.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norwegian Ambassador Heidi Olufsen and lodged what it described as a strong protest. It said Moscow rejected both the seizure and what it called Norway’s efforts to restrict Russia’s legitimate presence in the archipelago. The Russian embassy in Norway called the seizure “a politically motivated violation of international law” and said it would appeal.

“We demand the immediate release of the vessel and that the safety of the passengers and crew be ensured,” the embassy said in an email to AFP.

We demand the immediate release of the vessel and that the safety of the passengers and crew be ensured

· Russian embassy in NorwayThe embassy stated its demands in an email to AFP.

Norwegian authorities said they were not a party to the dispute. Justice Ministry spokesperson Frank Lynum said Svalbard’s governor was “obliged to implement the court’s ruling” as the authority responsible for enforcing court decisions. He said the case was being handled through ordinary Norwegian court procedures.

The Russian embassy said the vessel was the only supply channel for Russian settlements in Svalbard because of sanctions Norway imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine. The archipelago is governed by a 1920 treaty that recognises Norwegian sovereignty while granting nationals of signatory countries equal rights to exploit natural resources. Oslo says those rights do not exempt people or companies from Norwegian laws.

obliged to implement the court’s ruling

· Frank LynumThe Norwegian justice ministry spokesperson explained the governor’s role in enforcing the court order.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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