Russia on Svalbard

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.

• Court keeps Professor Molchanov under arrest in Barentsburg
• Professor Molchanov held in Barentsburg under court order
• Norway makes it harder for Ukraine to seize Russian ships at Svalbard

Checked 1 November 2026

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.

• Naftogaz targets Russian properties in Oslo after Svalbard move
• Norway makes it harder for Ukraine to seize Russian ships at Svalbard

Checked 27 October 2026

Radio Maya in Barentsburg has stopped its FM broadcasts while the Norwegian Communications Authority holds its frequency application.

• Radio Maya in Barentsburg stops FM broadcasts without Nkom permit

Checked 27 October 2026