Svalbard Russia on Svalbard
The Russian settlements, Trust Arktikugol (Russia's state-owned company on Svalbard), and Norway's and Russia's dealings on the archipelago.
Special: Russia on Svalbard, in maps, numbers and archive pictures
Where it stands
The Russian state ship Professor Molchanov has been held in Barentsburg since 2 September under a court order won by Ukraine's Naftogaz. Trust Arktikugol says the arrest hurts Barentsburg and Pyramiden; Naftogaz says the ship is in commercial use. On 28 October the district court rejected Arktikugol's request to lift the arrest.
Naftogaz has also won seizures of Russian-owned property in Oslo and of vehicles on Svalbard. Since September, a Norwegian regulation limits seizures of goods the settlements need to keep running.
Radio Maya in Barentsburg has stopped its FM broadcasts while the Norwegian Communications Authority holds its frequency application.
Reports
- Report3 November 2026Russia summons Norwegian diplomat over arrested shipAnadolu Ajansı
- Report3 November 2026Checks in Russian settlements stepped up since 2022, Governor saysNRK
- Report2 November 2026Russia's chemical export ban spares Svalbard suppliesThe Defence Blog
- Report1 November 2026Svalbard stands out as a target of Russian influence, researcher saysNettavisen
- Summary30 October 2026From weather forecasts to hypersonic missiles to the Russian fleet on the Kola Peninsula: why the Arctic is strategically important for defenceIl Sole 24 ORE
- Report29 October 2026Court keeps Professor Molchanov under arrest in BarentsburgThe Barents Observer
- Report27 October 2026Totland presents his book about the Russians on SvalbardGovernment of Norway
- Report25 October 2026Professor Molchanov held in Barentsburg under court orderDemokratis
- Report25 October 2026WSJ: Professor Molchanov seizure brings Ukraine war to the ArcticWSJ
- Report24 October 2026Commentary in The Spectator says High North stakes are risingThe Spectator
Tags in this topic
Russia 54Arktikugol 28Barentsburg 37Pyramiden 10Russian settlements 5Naftogaz 11