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
November 2026
- 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
October 2026
- 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
- Report23 October 2026Naftogaz targets Russian properties in Oslo after Svalbard moveArctic Today
- Report21 October 2026VG: the court in Oslo seized Russian property at the request of the Ukrainian NaftogazEADaily
- Report21 October 2026Ministry upholds Svalbard expulsion over Russian passportNRK
- Summary20 October 2026Radio Maya in Barentsburg stops FM broadcasts without Nkom permitHigh North News
- Report20 October 2026Court hears Professor Molchanov case, ruling expected within daysGovernment of Norway
- Report19 October 2026Court hears dispute over seized ship Professor MolchanovGovernor of Svalbard
- Summary16 October 2026The Norwegian Frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen on Svalbard PatrolHigh North News
September 2026
- In full24 September 2026UNIS hosts lecture on Russia and security politics in the ArcticUNIS
- Summary19 September 2026Norway makes it harder for Ukraine to seize Russian ships at SvalbardThe Barents Observer
- In full8 September 2026Russian passengers back in RussiaGovernor of Svalbard
- Summary4 September 2026Norway’s ambassador summoned to Moscow foreign ministry as wave of propaganda hits the headlinesThe Barents Observer
- Summary3 September 2026Russian Fishing Vessels Repeatedly Cross Svalbard Cables, Raising Security QuestionsHigh North News
- In full2 September 2026Russian ship seized in SvalbardGovernor of Svalbard
- Summary2 September 2026Norway seizes Russia's Svalbard linerThe Barents Observer
July 2026
- Summary23 July 2026Luxury yachts crowd around Svalbard; among them is Oleg Tinkov’s La DatchaThe Barents Observer
May 2026
- Summary13 May 2026Behind Russia’s “Victory Day” ceremony on Svalbard was a veiled effort to build a militarised presenceThe Barents Observer
April 2026
- Summary20 April 2026Shipwreck Found in Svalbard - Could Originate From 18th Century RussiaHigh North News
- Summary8 April 2026Svalbard Governor website cannot be opened from RussiaThe Barents Observer
- Summary7 April 2026The Emirates joins Svalbard TreatyThe Barents Observer
March 2026
- Summary31 March 2026Russian vessels have sought shelter in Norwegian fjords more than 230 times since 2022The Barents Observer
- Summary13 March 2026The Soviet flag flew high as this year's first passenger voyage from Murmansk came to SvalbardThe Barents Observer
- Summary8 March 2026Governor gives high priority to monitoring Russia’s Svalbard voyagesThe Barents Observer
Tags in this topic
Russia 54Arktikugol 28Barentsburg 37Pyramiden 10Russian settlements 5Naftogaz 11