Norwegians seized a Russian vessel in Spitsbergen following a lawsuit filed by Naftogaz.

Norwegian authorities have arrested the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in the port of Barentsburg on the Svalbard archipelago. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by the Ukrainian company Naftogaz as part of its attempt to recover approximately $4,22 billion in debt, interest, and legal costs from Russia.

The arrest order was issued by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court on August 31, 2026. The vessel is not permitted to leave its berth in Barentsburg until further notice from the Governor of Svalbard. According to Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East, the crew is physically safe. However, the expedition members learned of the vessel's detention from news messages.

Naftogaz called the arrest "an important step toward restoring justice" and promised to continue searching for Russian assets worldwide. The amount of the claim is related to an April 2023 arbitration award seeking compensation for the loss of the group's assets in Crimea. Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of this arbitration and, naturally, did not participate in the proceedings.

Svalbard's status is defined by the 1920 Treaty, which granted Norway sovereignty over the archipelago, but with significant restrictions: participating states (including Russia since 1935) have equal rights to economic activity, and the archipelago itself is demilitarized. However, Norwegian authorities often interpret their authority expansively, which leads to controversy.

The Arktikugol trust, which has maintained Russia's presence on Spitsbergen since 1931, intends to challenge the seizure. Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexey Chekunkov stated that Russia will provide a "decisive and immediate" legal response to the incident, calling it a violation of international law.

By the way, aren't Norwegian vessels sometimes sailing too close to Russian territorial waters? Don't they pose a danger to our mineral resources and the environment?

Comments

[Murmur 55]

Yeah, what's Moscow going to say now? Or what about the planes? Which were also delayed.

[ARIONkrsk]

Quote: Murmur 55

Yeah, what's Moscow going to say now? Or what about the planes? Which were also delayed.

It seems like Putin recently threatened to take harsh measures for the arrests of our ships, so we'll see.

[Krasnoyarsk]

Quote from ARIONkrsk

It seems like Putin recently threatened to take harsh measures for the arrests of our ships, so we'll see.

Already responded... harshly - "The head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, Alexei Chekunkov, stated that Russia will give a "decisive and immediate" legal response to this incident, calling it a violation of international law." Very harshly. The Norwegians hid in fear in the skerries.

[Netl]

Quote: Krasnoyarsk

Russia will give a "decisive and immediate" legal response to this incident, calling it a violation of international law.

The funny thing is that the seizure was imposed by some minor district court, stupidly applying the rules for enforcing an arbitration award, while the Norwegian government is not even involved. And after the seizure, the court can examine Russia's arguments about the stupidity of the arbitration's very jurisdiction.

The arbitration agreement concerned mutual investments in another country. This meant the Ukrainians could only sue for assets in territory they considered Russian. So, if they were robbed in Moscow, then yes, they could go to arbitration and that's it. But this is Crimea, which they never recognized as Russian. But for the purposes of arbitration, they apparently did.

IMHO, you either put on panties or take off the cross.

[ABC-schutze]

Well... If the Norwegians, brazenly, unilaterally, and without prior notification to Moscow, are flouting a purely bilateral agreement with Russia regarding the archipelago—and Russia, let me remind you, is the successor to the USSR—then Moscow is perfectly within its rights to act unilaterally. And, say, revoke Oslo's sovereignty over the archipelago without prior notice. And deploy its warships to the port there, placing it under the protection of its own maritime security forces... Also, "for the duration of negotiations." And if anything happens, then they can also snatch up the Scandinavians' equally "exploratory" Marjatta in return. They've got her, not very long ago in maritime terms, "reignited," replacing her decrepit older sister, the first-built, which has departed this world...

[Netl]

Quote: ABC-schütze

trample on a purely bilateral agreement with Russia on the archipelago

From their point of view, the archipelago has nothing to do with it. It's just that commercial property has been discovered there, which can be stolen as part of the enforcement of the Arbitration Court's decision.

[ABC-schutze]

In fact, any arbitration tribunal has the power to be the final authority ONLY IF the parties signing an agreement, while still negotiating the text of that agreement, included a provision for arbitration (either international, specifying the "country and city" or national, the language of arbitration, etc.) as a method of resolving disputes and disagreements. These are the basics of law... Period and Amen...

Excuse me for asking. Did the notorious "Naftogaz businessman" of the Kyiv-based Bandera-Nazis enter into any "arbitration agreements" with the Russian "Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East"? Apparently not... And with the Russian government? Also not... So, "involving" any "arbitration" in the context of these Bandera-Nazi claims is, legally speaking, nothing more than amateurish self-initiative... The people say it's OUTRAGEOUS...

Well, that means the "retaliatory response" has the right to take the same form. Both against the outlaw Bandera Nazis and the outlaws from Spitsbergen...

But the funniest thing is that neither of them will be able to simply remove the Russian vessel from the Norwegian port, let alone "hand it over" to someone else...

After all, the Russian Northern Fleet only needs to deploy just ONE of its warships in this water. And it won't allow any "transportation" or "escort" of this vessel anywhere. After all, Spitsbergen isn't "faraway" Venezuela or Syria. For the Russian Navy, it's right there, within easy reach.

[Netl]

Quote: ABC-schütze

The notorious "Naftogaz businessman" of the Kyiv-Bandera-Nazis concluded any "agreements" with the Russian "Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East" on arbitration

The Ministry has no legal standing. The claim was against the Russian Federation as a whole, and accordingly, the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (signed on November 27, 1998) was used, which, among other things, specifies arbitration and other details.

Quote: ABC-schütze

After all, the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy only needs to put even ONE of its warships on duty in a given water area.

Spitsbergen is demilitarized, and the introduction of a military ship is an extremely serious violation, practically the beginning of hostilities. And the situation certainly doesn't warrant a new war. The only thing that needs to be done is to prohibit Russian ships, aircraft, and other expensive assets from entering the territories of countries willing to comply with this arbitration ruling until the situation is resolved. Conversely, in accordance with Russian court rulings, the property of hostile countries should be seized where possible.

[ABC-schutze]

Sorry, with all due respect I disagree...

The agreement you mentioned was concluded between the states of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. In other words, it was BILATERAL in nature. And if it provided for arbitration, it should have specified which type—the so-called "London," "Stockholm," etc.—or national arbitration, say, "Moscow" or "Kyiv." Moreover... Naftogaz, even citing this agreement, has NO RIGHT to be the party filing the lawsuit. Here, only the states that entered into the agreement have the right to be "plaintiffs." And the interests of this or that investor are represented...

I haven't read any information in the materials on this topic about "Ukraine" (even a former one), as a state, being the "petitioner" in the case. References to Naftogaz are everywhere. Excuse me, but why is it here, as a plaintiff in arbitration? Is it a "state" entity? Or is it just, like Gazprom, a banal "businessman" in the guise of a joint-stock company (CJSC) with a share of state capital?

The "Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East" is, in fact, a state agency, meaning it has state subjectivity. But this Russian state agency has NOT entered into any contracts or agreements with businesses bearing the "Naftogaz" label. That's a fact...

So, in this case, the notorious "arrest" imposed by a Norwegian "supervisor" in the guise of a court on a ministry vessel that does not have the status of a merchant party to the transaction is simply the execution of the will and lawlessness of the "bosses" overseas or in Brussels... who have placed a Russian non-profit state structure under their own "rule" and lawlessness. And confiscated its property. That's the entire "legal" framework of the situation...

Incidentally, a Russian Northern Fleet warship may be in international waters near the port. No "violations" are being committed... But it won't allow anyone to remove and "escort" Russian property from the port for "transfer" to someone else...

And no "casus belli"...

[Netl]

Quote: ABC-schütze

And if arbitration is provided for there, then it should also indicate which one - the so-called "London", "Stockholm", etc.

In general, yes, but with nuances;
According to Article 9 of the Agreement, the Investor (Nafta) has the right to choose one of the listed forum options. They chose the ad hoc arbitration tribunal (created for a specific dispute) option in accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.

Quote: ABC-schütze

A certain "Naftogaz", even with reference to this agreement, has NO RIGHT to be the subject filing the lawsuit.

I don't fully understand why you think so, but Article 1 of the Agreement clearly states the criteria for an Investor (who can file a claim):
1) A legitimate institution;
2) Legal capacity.
Nafta formally passed these tests.

Quote: ABC-schütze

on a vessel of a ministry that does not have the status of a merchant party to the transaction, there is a banal execution of will and lawlessness

There was a separate discussion regarding the "commensurate status." It wasn't the status that was required, but the actual commercial activity of the property in question. The Ukrainians found evidence somewhere that the vessel was carrying commercial orders, transporting tourists, and so on. As for the lawlessness, I agree, but for different reasons. The European Arbitrators distorted the very essence of the Agreement, inventing obligations that don't exist in the Agreement, and are attempting to impose them on Russia retroactively.

Quote: ABC-schütze

A warship of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy may be in international waters near the port.

But that's over 20 kilometers from the shore; what impact could it have? It's still unclear whether the ship will be moved at all, or even when. And if they do, they'll likely provide a military escort, and any encounters with them would be the same as combat operations.

I repeat that in the current situation, it's better to minimize damage and not trust European justice in the future. Their judicial thinking is seriously misguided, instead of strictly enforcing obligations, following their own understanding of justice.

[Button]

Quote: ABC-schütze

The Norwegians, brazenly, unilaterally and without prior notification to Moscow, are trampling on a purely bilateral agreement with Russia on the archipelago,

"And the reasons that led to this incident on Spitsbergen? These include the misplaced geopolitical generosity displayed by Dmitry Medvedev during his time as president.
We are talking about the Russian-Norwegian agreement of 2010, signed by the current deputy head of the Russian Security Council and the leader of United Russia, under which Moscow effectively renounced part of its rights to Spitsbergen and transferred more than 80 square kilometers of Barents Sea waters to Oslo, provoking the Norwegians to further pressure.
After such a "gift" (Kemsk Volost? Take it!), Norway has become brazen: they're restricting Russian citizens' access to Spitsbergen, demanding the demolition of a satellite data station, starting a showdown over cod fishing, and now they're directly seizing our vessel."

[ABC-schutze]

Well, I would also add...

Now, for example, they are attempting to organize a campaign of sabotage and psychological pressure against Russian citizens legally residing on the archipelago. For example, on Victory Day, they regularly desecrate the monument to the Soviet soldiers who liberated Norway. They are also removing wreaths from the Consulate. They are attempting to organize a campaign to "boycott" local stores serving Russian citizens (also in tandem with Bandera-Nazis who have declared themselves "refugees" on the archipelago). Simultaneously, they are attempting to block the delivery of Russian goods and food to the archipelago, under the guise of EU "sanctions." In short, they are physically "starving" Russians out of the archipelago.

[ABC-schutze]

And the funniest thing will be if, in this case as well (as in dozens of others), Moscow, "following the inertia of diplomatic clerks," begins to play the traditional "game" imposed by the so-called "West" and other lawless individuals. Specifically, to "resolve" the notorious "dispute," it will begin to bring in Norwegian lawyers, or "international lawyers," and so on. In short, it will once again open a generous and long-term feeding trough for clerks and "all those involved" for many years to come...
That is, once again, with such "retaliatory" actions, SHE herself will confirm their "legitimate right" to arbitrary lawlessness. Including "legal"... Instead of asking HERSELF a basic question. What does this "arbitration" have to do with anything? Where, in what agreement, signed by whom, and by what Russian state or commercial entity is this "arbitration" incorporated? Where and when?


So, some "Naftogaz" has come to you with some "claim"?.. And have you, Russia, PRELIMINARY agreed with us, on your right to be a judicial authority with respect to our property?.. Oh, no?.. Well, then go to hell with your "arbitration"... And we will, without fail, defend our property from plunder (and this is precisely ANOTHER robbery - OPEN theft of property, as opposed to "theft", a covert theft).

[LaraM]

It seems like Putin recently threatened to take harsh measures for the arrests of our ships, so we'll see.

That's not the case here. It wasn't a sanctioned tanker that was seized, but a security seizure. There's a court ruling in favor of Naftogaz. Russia now needs to prove its case, also in court, that it has no right to seize state property, and so on. That's the only way the issue can be resolved. No amount of force will win anything back here. Especially since Norway is NATO.

[ARIONkrsk]

Quote: LaraM

It seems like Putin recently threatened to take harsh measures for the arrests of our ships, so we'll see.

That's not the case here. It wasn't a sanctioned tanker that was seized, but a security seizure. There's a court ruling in favor of Naftogaz. Russia now needs to prove its case, also in court, that it has no right to seize state property, and so on. That's the only way the issue can be resolved. No amount of force will win anything back here. Especially since Norway is NATO.

And what will this NATA do to us? They only understand force. If we remain silent now, we will still get our ships arrested.

[Anatoly Eliseev]

He won't answer anything as usual, he'll just wipe his snot

[Terenin]

"An appropriate response will follow," Zakharova told Izvestia.

It turns out that on their part there is action, and on ours there is only reaction. What is a reaction? That is, our reaction is like that of a cat who has just dropped a vase, but has not yet realized what happened.

[LaraM]

That is, we have a reaction like a cat,

Something about everyone being drawn to allegories: cats, killer whales, bears...

[Terenin]

Quote: LaraM

then bears..

Bears that have encountered people believe that people live in trees.

Quote: LaraM

then cats

The cat, seeing the tiger, realized that only a poor appetite was preventing him from becoming the same.

Quote: LaraM

then killer whales

Killer whales really are very smart creatures. Have you ever seen one of them take out a mortgage? Exactly.

[LaraM]

Killer whales really are very smart creatures. Have you ever seen one of them take out a mortgage? Exactly.

[Montezuma]

Quote: Anatoly Eliseev

He won't answer anything as usual, he'll just wipe his snot

Or maybe we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves and announce the runny nose in advance?
Let's put aside the guesswork and see how this incident actually ends.

The Professor Molchanov, a vessel built in 1983 in Finland and owned by Roshydromet, has been making regular voyages to Spitsbergen since June 2025, delivering supplies, food, scientists, and miners from the Arktikugol trust. Ten such voyages were planned for this year.

In Norway, which is increasingly sinking into the depths of deep Russophobia, there are even some supporters of the arrest. In an interview with NRK, Kari Aga Myklebost, a professor of Russian history at the University of Tromsø, claimed that… the civilian vessel is being used by Russia for propaganda purposes. This crazy woman with a PhD drew this conclusion from the fact that the ship once brought an Orthodox priest to Spinbergen. It would be interesting to understand what this Myklebost can teach students who want to learn Russian history?!

Opposition and lawyers warn of risks

Of course, not everyone in Norway is as insane as Professor Myklebost. Moderate and opposition Norwegian experts are appealing to the Norwegian authorities to see reason.

Arild Moe, a senior research fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, told NRK that a strong protest from Moscow is inevitable, and Norway will have to deal with serious consequences on the archipelago.

Geir Ulfstein, professor of international law at the University of Oslo, called the enforcement of the international arbitration award in Svalbard "extremely strange," which could exacerbate the already fragile balance of power:

"The courts and the governor must follow Norwegian law, even if it's politically inconvenient. But applying international arbitration decisions to state property on Svalbard is strange. Russia will surely engage Norway's best lawyers to challenge this decision," the professor said in an interview with NRK.

The Norwegian publication Nordlys recalls that this is far from the first attempt by Western creditors to seize Russian assets on Svalbard. Just a few months ago, the same Nord-Troms and Senja District Court heard a lawsuit filed by Yukos Capital, which sought to sue the Russian Federation for real estate in Barentsburg and Pyramiden.

The Russian side then won the case: the Norwegian court rejected the confiscation order, recognizing that Russian property on the Svalbard archipelago is protected by state immunity and is a cultural heritage site.

The current arrest of the vessel "Professor Molchanov" runs counter to this practice and, indeed, to common sense.

[Good Evil]

Quote: Montezuma

Let's put aside the guesswork and see how this incident actually ends.

Well, we've seen it more than once...

[Il'nur]

Or maybe we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves and announce the runny nose in advance?
Let's put aside the guesswork and see how this incident actually ends.

Haven't you seen enough of how similar incidents ended in real life?!

[jack no]

Montezuma,
Je ne comprends pas les 15 negatifs.
Ce même tribunal avait débouté Yukos Capital, cette décision fait jurisprudence.
Le problème, c'est les délais.
Le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères suit la voie judiciaire légale.

[Montezuma]

jack no
ici Sur le site beaucoup de gens de l'étranger qui sont hostiles à la Russie, et qui veulent la détérioration de sa situation. Donc, les marques negatives sont tout à fait attendues. J'y suis déjà habitué.

[Terenin]

Quote from jack-no

Montezuma,
Je ne comprends pas les 15 negatifs.
Ce même tribunal avait débouté Yukos Capital, cette décision fait jurisprudence.
Le problème, c'est les délais.
Le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères suit la voie judiciaire légale.

Il ya des gens sains d'esprit qui corrigeront les positifs

[pudelartemon]

Shouldn't we send a couple of corvettes to these Nord-Troms, Senja and Barentsburg?
If the archipelago is demilitarized, then who detained our ship? And if it was an armed seizure, then that's a violation of the demilitarization treaty, and we've come to ask why?

[Sergey39]

The corvettes have a long way to go; they're in the Baltic and Pacific Fleet, where there are more powerful ships, like the 22350 frigates. We'll see how this dispute is resolved. There was a precedent of ships being arrested at the request of a "sub-state," but the ships were later released.

[pudelartemon]

Sorry, buddy, I'm not a naval expert and don't know much about ship classes. It's just that "corvette" sounds cool.
But someone needs to be sent!

[ser-pov]

Well, what will Moscow respond now?

In my opinion, the simplest thing to do first is to revoke the signature on the shelf agreement that was given to the Norwegians... And then we'll see...

[Vend]

They would send a warship to negotiate about the illegal detention.

[Iris]

All ships are busy escorting our vessels, which deliver various cargoes to the "kings" in West Africa and to the "new partners" in Syria.

[pudelartemon]

We could send an Iskander on a friendly visit, after repainting it pink and with the inscription "Flamingo"

[LaraM]

They would send a warship to negotiate about the illegal detention.

A member country of the bloc? Very funny. I hope I don't end up crying later.

[Vend]

Quote: LaraM

They would send a warship to negotiate about the illegal detention.

A member country of the bloc? Very funny. I hope I don't end up crying later.

NATO is already a corpse, there's a lot of arrogance, but no use.

[LaraM]

NATO is already a corpse, there's a lot of arrogance, but no use.

Well, exactly) but for some reason some lovers of cunning plans are afraid to test this. What if there is some sense in it?

[Vend]

Quote: LaraM

NATO is already a corpse, there's a lot of arrogance, but no use.

Well, exactly) but for some reason some lovers of cunning plans are afraid to test this. What if there is some sense in it?

Iran checked) So what?))

[Irek]

Then don't cry Anastozashcho?

[Smoked]

Okay. I've written it down. We'll add this Spitsbergen thing to the list of places we'll be throwing in, like tunnels, bridges, and the bank. Done.

[Hunter 2]

Quote: Smoked

Okay. I've written it down. We'll add this Spitsbergen thing to the list of places we'll be throwing in, like tunnels, bridges, and the bank. Done.

I see you're still not over it? Throw the slipper in the corner, leave TYAO alone, or better yet, take a break—don't be stingy with your liver!

[Smoked]

But a reaction is needed, and not just any reaction, but a powerful, state-wide response so that everyone understands everything. People here are suggesting throwing it away, but that's a working model, isn't it? Or are you referring to the Foreign Ministry's response? Well, then, excuse me.

[Hunter 2]

I'll let you in on a terrible secret: Norway's 33-strong army—we can handle it without tactical nuclear weapons if necessary. And our people are on Svalbard, and you're proposing to launch tactical nuclear weapons at them? The Norwegians need to be robbed; they have almost a trillion in cash—let them pay for their mistakes and keep hoarding it—until the next time.

[Smoked]

Cool. Then why did allied North Korean forces recently spend so much time helping liberate part of one region from an invader, if, according to you, we can handle the Norwegian army even without your favorite Tiao in the comments?

[Hunter 2]

Are you serious or just kidding? Is our entire country fighting as one? Just look at the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and our group. If you want to skip the Koreans, it's that simple. You can easily find a military registration and enlistment office, then share your combat achievements. I was there—it's your turn.

[Smoked]

Ah, so, according to you, the whole country will work for the Norwegians. I just didn't understand you right away, sorry. Then, of course, it will work without the tiao. Yes.

[Hunter 2]

If we run into the Norwegians, it definitely won't be a SVO.

[Smoked]

Yes, I understand already. This will be different. Good.

[pudelartemon]

And half of them are pretty girls.

[Simargl]

Quote: Hunter 2

I see you still haven't let go?

His walls are soft - he can do it.

[tralflot1832]

The governor's tugboat demonstratively headed for another fjord. I wouldn't do anything at all. After a scheduled stop, I'd head to Murmansk. And I'd put my trust in the Norwegian court's decision. That's one way to resolve this situation. Everyone's happy. And then, in a month, I'd return to Barentsburg; the Norwegians won't dare seize it by force.

[Hunter 2]

Have the Norwegians been watching too much Vikings? Where are those half-baked films?
Just knock down a couple of their platforms and oil and gas pipelines, and it’s nice (for Nord Stream) and useful (hello, Europe).
We need to "milk" the Norwegians, they have more than a trillion dollars hoarded there, let the idiots suffer.

[Murmur 55]

Hunter 2 Here, right next door, the Baltic "tigers" are eating fish soup. in full growth and they get absolutely NOTHING for it. And you're proposing something about Norway.

[Hunter 2]

The funniest thing is, there are almost a million more Tribals than Norwegians. But otherwise, yes, they're comparable forces. The only thing is, the Norwegians have the wherewithal to pay for their mistakes, while the Tribals are professional paupers! I've long proposed shutting down the only Tribal oil refinery among the three.

[Murmur 55]

Okhotoved2, so the Tribals provided their air for the UAV, and maybe even launch sites with specialists. They're not exactly poor, but they're constantly and increasingly messing things up.

[Hunter 2]

I hope our Supreme Command finally realizes that the Tribalts are definitely not our "brotherly people," or at least someone will tell us. These half-wits need to be brought to justice, as an example to the world. On their territory, the target is, one, two, the countdown is over, so they need to be eliminated.

[Murmur 55]

Okhotoved2, don't get your hopes up, this won't happen, just like many other things that should have happened a long time ago.

[Montezuma]

Somehow our comments were deleted. In my opinion, they were completely reasonable and to the point.

[pudelartemon]

Who's going to supply us with sprats? New Year's is coming soon, and what's a New Year's without sprats?

[sergiogerasimo]

In the Vikings series, everything begins in the lands of Hedeby (south of Jutland) and Scandza (around modern Gothenburg), that is, in the lands of the Rugii Slavs, or as they were then called, the Geats (not to be confused with the Goths).

[Smoked]

There's this thing called law, contracts, and other legal stuff. Usually, if something falls under the scope of a legal norm, it's automatically triggered. For some, this involves legal proceedings with court proceedings and other hassles; for great powers, it's a bit simpler, called "telephone law." Accordingly, our lawyers could long ago have compiled a list of countries where legal norms apply, and where they're ignored. Something like that.

[Vovavvs]

And if some French and Swedes can laugh at the Russians' Far Eastern threats, then it goes without saying that the Norwegians... Judging by the trend, the Balts will soon begin to do the same

[She34]

If our people remain silent, it will be a disgrace to the entire world. Putin promised to respond to this!

[PVV66]

Putin promised a lot of things... Promising does not mean marrying.

[Vladimir60]

Oh, these people! They were promised so much, but it's still not enough for them!

[Waiting]

We have many points of contact with them in the northern seas. I think they'll find a way to respond. However, we might never know about it.

[jovanni]

It's a shame Spitsbergen isn't in the Far East... Otherwise, wow! I'd get a mirror-image response right now! The commander on the Varyag apparently assigned tasks only to the Pacific Fleet...

[duschman80-81]

This is all happening to a powerful nuclear power...
Some kind of ridiculous, bad dream... and it just won't end..
I'm going crazy about what's happening.

[Murmur 55]

duschman80-81 What has been happening for the last 4 years is no longer just crap, but much more offensive.

[cat Crush]

I agree, scum is what has fallen to the bottom, and what floats on top is, of course, not scum.

[Personal opinion]

There are increasing doubts regarding the combat effectiveness of nuclear weapons, which the new liberal authorities began to modernize in the late nineties.

[Ostap from Rio]

So what are we waiting for? We have a law protecting Russian citizens and property. We do. We must protect the interests of the country and its people in accordance with the law, deploy troops, and incorporate Spitsbergen into the Russian Federation.

[cat Crush]

Based on the results of a national referendum.

[Modya]

From September 18th to 20th. Then attendance is guaranteed.

[Vladimir Vladimirovich Vorontsov]

❝ Norwegian authorities have arrested the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in the port of Barentsburg on the Svalbard archipelago ❞ —

— Repeat as it was in The Battle of Halibut ...

— ❝ On October 15, 2005, the Norwegian Coast Guard detained the Russian fishing trawler Elektron (owned by the Murmansk firm Korzh) in a protected area off Spitsbergen for allegedly violating fishing regulations—supposedly using prohibited small-mesh nets. The vessel was taken into tow for transport to a Norwegian port.
On October 17, two Norwegian fisheries inspectors boarded the vessel. They identified violations and ordered the vessel to proceed to Kirkenes for investigation. Captain Valery Yarantsev refused to comply, severed the tow rope, and headed for Murmansk—with the Norwegian inspectors on board.
Up to four Norwegian Navy ships and helicopters pursued the Elektron. The chase lasted approximately five days. The Norwegians launched flares (the captain claimed they were "incendiary bombs") and threatened to ram the vessel. When the trawler entered Russian territorial waters, other Russian fishing vessels maneuvered around it, preventing the Norwegians from approaching and stopping the propeller.
On October 20, the Electron entered Russian territorial waters. On October 21, the Norwegian inspectors were transferred to the Norwegian vessel, which was cleared to enter Russian waters.
This case was dubbed in the Norwegian press The Battle of Halibut ❞ ©

[Pomeranian]

Yarantsev later became the head of the Teriberka administration from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation; local authorities devoured him for not giving in to the garbage mafia and turning on heat to local residents' homes in October, violating some section of Federal Law 44.

[tralflot1832]

They definitely captured the Molchanov. The Molchanov is docked in Barentsburg. The crew and passengers learned of their arrest from the media. A significant number of Russian journalists are on board, and one already contacted us via video report today. There's confusion on the ship, but the crew and passengers are calm. Norwegian authorities (two police officers) boarded the ship to formalize the arrival on September 1st. Enough of this hysteria. The governor of Svalbard is at his wits' end, wondering how to carry out Oslo's orders to deport the crew and passengers to Russia using Norwegian means. Will the Russians object? A police military operation? On August 29, the Governor of Spitsbergen attended a memorial ceremony at Opera Mountain, where our plane crashed in 1996. Note that there are no Ukrainian ribbons on the Norwegian wreath, but they could have been there—77 Ukrainians died then. We're lucky; the Norwegians will go nuts again and say nothing happened. We'll see. That's kind of how it is in Barentsburg now. Don't freak out.

[Declarant]

Now is the time for our submarine to surface in Barentsburg and take the ship under protection.

[novel66]

Yes, all of this.

"decisive and immediate" legal response

This is complete bullshit. You need to give an illegal answer.

[solar]

It is unclear what kind of arbitration the author is writing about.
The vessel was arrested by decision of the Nord-Troms District Court.

Moscow. September 3. INTERFAX.RU - Norwegian authorities have arrested the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard at the request of the Ukrainian company Naftogaz, the Svalbard Governor's Office reported.
"The Governor of Svalbard today (Wednesday – IF), by order of the Nord-Troms District Court, arrested the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov, moored in Barentsburg," the office's website stated.

[Joker62]

Norwegian authorities have arrested the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in the port of Barentsburg on the Svalbard archipelago.

It's time to give the Norwegians a good beating. And take this island as compensation for the ship's arrest following a tip from a Ukrainian Reich!

[Alexander_K]

take this island as moral damages

By decision of the Basmanny Court of Moscow. 😁
Let them file an appeal!

[solar]

The only thing we need now is a war with NATO to be completely happy :((...

[Fishmashin]

So, have we finally seen Russian ships being arrested in all ports?
Recently, some threatening words were spoken in Vladivostok, will the application follow through with action?

[Gardamir]

Norwegian authorities have arrested the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov in the port of Barentsburg on the Svalbard archipelago following a lawsuit filed by the Ukrainian company Naftogaz. The corresponding decision of the Nord-Troms District Court was issued on August 31, 2026, and was executed by the Governor of Svalbard. Key details of the event: Reason for arrest: The arrest was imposed as an interim measure. Naftogaz Ukraine is seeking to recover approximately $4,22 billion (plus interest) from Russia. This compensation was awarded in April 2023 by the Hague Tribunal for the illegal seizure of the company's assets in Crimea in 2014. Current status of the vessel: Professor Molchanov is prohibited from leaving the port of Barentsburg until further notice from the Governor or the court. Since June 2025, this vessel (homeported in Arkhangelsk) has been operating regular cargo-passenger voyages between Murmansk and Barentsburg. At the time of its arrest, it was on an expedition for the Russian Geographical Society. Crew safety: Norwegian authorities and the Russian trust Arktikugol stated that the crew and passengers will be cared for and that their safety is not in danger. Russia's response: Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexey Chekunkov announced that lawyers for the Arktikugol trust are assessing the legal aspects of the matter and intend to challenge the arrest decision.

[Ed Mac]

In 2010, Medvedev ceded 170,000 square kilometers of territory and the rights to Svalbard to Norway. Apparently, this didn't help the "deepening of relations."

[Joker62]

Quote: Ed Mack

In 2010, Medvedev ceded 170,000 square kilometers of territory and the rights to Svalbard to Norway. Apparently, this didn't help the "deepening of relations."

And you can't bring DAM himself to criminal responsibility... He's not stable, like an iceberg... But you need to screw him and for a long time!

[Earl]

By the way, aren't Norwegian ships sometimes sailing too close to Russian territorial waters?

Moreover: isn’t it time for Spitsbergen to return to its native harbor?

[Sergei Viktorovich Korolev]

It's sickening to hear about concerns and red lines. The country doesn't need eunuchs. We are a country of warriors, not sufferers.

[Kusja]

Well, this would be the perfect opportunity to ignore these creatures and send a missile cruiser there to rescue our ship. What would they do? Nothing. But these guys wouldn't bother us again without thinking twice.

[Andrei Nikolaevich]

Yeah, that's unfortunate. We're losing face. Okay. Let's see this "harsh" response. No need to get hysterical. But a firm response is essential. Otherwise, they'll really get on our nerves.

[sergiogerasimo]

Putin and Dimon are only threatening in words, "wiping them down the toilet," and so on. But in reality, it's "come on, guys, let's get along...." For example, China shot down 9006 intruders and flying objects in its airspace from 1949 to 1990, without any explanation. And here, all we get is "swoosh, swoosh, swoosh."

[faiver]

Land marines on Spitsbergen, deport the Norwegians, and appoint D.A. Medvedev governor of the Spitsbergen archipelago...

[Smoked]

Exactly! Run for comment president, the people will support you! And if you suggest pelting them with tyao, he'll be canonized in his lifetime.

[faiver]

Why the TNW? Don't ruin the North's ecology, and don't canonize me. I don't want to be on the same list as Nikolay...

[Pomeranian]

Lifelong, no right to leave. Residence in the village of Pyramid.

[faiver]

Lifelong, no right to leave. Residence in the village of Pyramid.

- I definitely support it

[Pomeranian]

By the way, the photo at the beginning of this article shows the village of Longyearbyen, the residence of the Norwegian governor. Dimon has no place there!

[snow mountain]

Quote: faiver

will appoint D.A. Medvedev as governor of the Svalbard archipelago....

He will govern there so much that the entire population of the island will run away.

[Million]

And where are Moscow's retaliatory actions?

[kolian]

said in months))))))

[Jcvai]

Why are they all looking for "complex" solutions? There's a simple one: no Naftogaz, no lawsuit. ;)

Moreover, there is a diplomatic option: if Norway uses its sovereignty to seize Russian state property (and scientific vessels are such and have the corresponding immunity) based on claims by third countries in the Spitsbergen zone, this violates the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920 and, consequently, transfers the archipelago to the status of no man's land, which cancels Norwegian sovereignty and laws there.
And any actions by NATO forces in this zone would already be an attempt to seize this "no man's land," to which the Russian Federation has historical rights and on which there are Russian settlements.

[Pomeranian]

The treaty was ruined in 2010, when Norway ceded a substantial chunk of the Barents Sea, rich in hydrocarbon deposits and fish stocks (the Demidov Bank, for example), and, under the agreement, expanded their sovereignty over Spit and the Bear Island area. Now the Kremlin can do nothing with them. Nothing at all.

[Jcvai]

You wouldn't say so. This 2010 treaty is an expansion of the 1920 treaty. Plus, in recent years, our International Affairs Committee has had its termination on its agenda.

Here's a "hypothetical situation" for you.
1. Spitsbergen becomes a no-man's land with the rupture of the 1920 treaty and all subsequent treaties based on it.
2. Russian bases (to protect their historical land and settlements), Chinese bases (they already have their own station there, currently limited by the Norwegians in rights, and within the framework of the alliance with the Russian Federation and plans for the "polar silk road" they are implementing the protection of their economic and scientific interests from pirates in no man's land) and North Korean bases (under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty) are quickly appearing on the islands.
3. For NATO, the emergence of an Arctic outpost of Russia, China, and North Korea right on the border with Norway is a complete knockout blow: the possibility of "returning Spitsbergen to Norway" is blocked, since any attempt to land marines would automatically mean entering into war with three nuclear-armed states at once.

Ultimately, the loss of a chunk of the Arctic region and the enemy's nearby base is too high a price to pay for a simple civil lawsuit to support Ukraine's Naftogaz.
So if our people behave correctly, soon they will either quietly lift all the restrictions, or they will officially find a procedural error and overturn the local court's decision.

[Pomeranian]

Sorry, but this is just wishful thinking. Our guys won't do anything, except file another complaint with Sportloto and draw a bright red line. In 2010, the Treaty was "expanded" so much that Russia lost a lot without gaining anything. For example, the Shtokman project, which had sunk untold billions of our money—the money of law-abiding Russian taxpayers—was a complete disaster.

[Ignatius555]

A signature can be revoked; the US and Europe are doing so. But here, as always, the fifth column marches ahead with a red flag, because Europe is home to white people, while we live in the Papuans.

[Roman Efremov]

Russia's authority has been reduced to rock bottom; no one perceives us as a nuclear power anymore; the possession of powerful weapons is not associated with their use; correcting this situation will be difficult, if the government even decides to do so.

[ximkim]

It's almost Friday, and then Medvedev's reaction will come.
If the ship is not returned, then it should be sunk when the Norwegian crew is on it.
P.S. Thanks to Putin and Medvedev for transferring Russian territories to Norway.

[Zaurbek]

Friday, an active day. The lady will probably take it to her chest and speak.

[ZnachWest]

Thu. today. You've already accepted, apparently...

[torbas41]

In the Mediterranean, the seizure of our ships—though they're not ours, after all, since they don't fly Russian flags—is understandable. There's practically no way to protect them there, and the Tartus base has been closed. But in the north, where our Northern Fleet, decorated with the Order of Ushakov and decorated with the Red Banner, is stationed, the arrest of Russian ships by outsiders is simply disgraceful. Someone recently wrote here that friendship and mutual understanding reign on Spitsbergen.

[Pomeranian]

Well, what did you expect? After "Iron Dimon" in 2010, despite protests from regional leaders, scientists, industrialists, and simply statesmen, and with the Highest Blessing of our Strategic Advantage, handed over a substantial chunk of the Barents Sea to Norway (for a pinch of snuff, a gentle pat on the cheek, a new iPhone—underline as appropriate), and then received a slew of other tasty treats from the generous handouts of September 15, 2010, at the meeting between Sergey Lavrov and Jonas Støre, the Norwegians in the Svalbard area were given a golden opportunity to do whatever their gloomy Scandinavian genius demanded with Russian ships and other vessels. At first, they completely surrendered to them, and now they're puffing out their cheeks menacingly. It's both ridiculous and disgusting.

[Dart]

"Kemskaya volost? - Yes, yes, Kemskaya volost!!
"Yes, take it, that's all..."

[ZnachWest]

Medvedev to answer. But the State Duma doesn't have the courage, and never will.

[Ignatius555]

The decision can be overturned, the signature can be revoked, and Dimon can't be punished. But something's holding us back again. I wonder what.

[rocket757]

Where everything will be decided, where our history is written... ON THE BATTLEFIELDS!
Everything else is incidental/collateral noise...
Good luck to our soldiers!

[VLR]

Why not seize them? Tell me honestly, would you have seized the Norwegians on the spot, knowing that the Russian Foreign Ministry would only "draw" another "red line"?

[Zaurbek]

Moscow announced the arrests of ships in the Far East.
Here we are being tested for legal capacity.

[ZnachWest]

Just below I wrote - after 6 trials, according to the media, it was detained.

[Dave36]

Beat your own so that others will be afraid... everything you need to know about responses))

[Pomeranian]

I think that in response to the Norwegians' brazen arrest of our vessel, new internet restrictions should be introduced in Russia! That would definitely help!

[alanery]

Yeah, it's bullshit, they'll draw a red line and we'll just carry on living...:-)

[snow mountain]

Quote: Murmur 55

Well, what will Moscow respond now?

After more than four years of war, we must understand what Moscow will respond to.

[Mapping]

Well, now Putin will take out a red marker and draw a thick, black line, Zakharova will express her highest concern, and Yeltsin will threaten a nuclear strike, and then
.....silence, they will wipe their lips, lick their lips and continue to puff out their cheeks, considering themselves great.

[ZnachWest]

So, after Putin’s threats, they wrote, as many as 6 tankers were detained.

[Mapping]

Quote: JcVai

You wouldn't say so. This 2010 treaty is an expansion of the 1920 treaty. Plus, in recent years, our International Affairs Committee has had its termination on its agenda.

Here's a "hypothetical situation" for you.
1. Spitsbergen becomes a no-man's land with the rupture of the 1920 treaty and all subsequent treaties based on it.
2. Russian bases (to protect their historical land and settlements), Chinese bases (they already have their own station there, currently limited by the Norwegians in rights, and within the framework of the alliance with the Russian Federation and plans for the "polar silk road" they are implementing the protection of their economic and scientific interests from pirates in no man's land) and North Korean bases (under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty) are quickly appearing on the islands.
3. For NATO, the emergence of an Arctic outpost of Russia, China, and North Korea right on the border with Norway is a complete knockout blow: the possibility of "returning Spitsbergen to Norway" is blocked, since any attempt to land marines would automatically mean entering into war with three nuclear-armed states at once.

Ultimately, the loss of a chunk of the Arctic region and the enemy's nearby base is too high a price to pay for a simple civil lawsuit to support Ukraine's Naftogaz.
So if our people behave correctly, soon they will either quietly lift all the restrictions, or they will officially find a procedural error and overturn the local court's decision.

Tales from the Vienna Woods. Under the current government, these are just pipe dreams.

[Mapping]

Russia has not been so mocked since the Time of Troubles of False Dmitrys I and II.

[ingvar1951]

Alas. Even such a nonentity as Khrushchev was more decisive, although the balance of power at the time was not in the USSR's favor. After the Cuban Missile Crisis, there were constant concessions and surrenders.

[ZnachWest]

AND...? ...............

[agond]

If this continues, they might arrest, for example, an icebreaker somewhere at the exit from the ice fields. It’s probably time to think about somehow arming all the civilian vessels of the Northern Fleet.

[ZnachWest]

The convention doesn't allow it. So, no way.

[Word]

Let's see how this incident is resolved. The DAM, aka the lawyer, is silent. He'll start working on Telegram now, threatening or stalling. The entire fine-paying illiquid asset will now be brought before the Security Council.

[Konnick]

Quote: Word

DAM is silent, he is a lawyer.

Well, sometimes he needs to get inspired...or get drunk, I'm not sure.

[Personal opinion]

It's unclear what's stopping Russia from arresting a Norwegian vessel, accusing it of whatever it wants, and escorting it to Severomorsk on a military ship.
At the request of Ukrainians... they're already laughing in your face.

[odisey3000]

We're waiting for our authorities to react. With the current state of affairs, the Norwegians will soon kick our citizens out of Spitsbergen. Impunity breeds problems. The only solution is political. They spat in our faces, and we brushed it off. The ship was taken away. Civic and moral. The captain, ignoring everything and everyone, along with his crew, sang, "Our proud Varyag will not surrender to the enemy," and sailed home with the support of our valiant naval forces. Our valiant Northern Fleet came to the rescue of the ship's crew and escorted them to their home port, demonstrating that we still have gunpowder in our flasks, not just white boots. Now for everyone—which solution to this complex problem do you think will be most preferable for our authorities? Don't forget, elections are coming up. Place your bets, gentlemen. Or maybe the authorities will pretend nothing special happened and everything will somehow resolve itself. That's an option. And the talking head of the Foreign Ministry will once again draw red lines and condemn. We wait.

[Idle_piston]

Norwegians seized a Russian vessel in Spitsbergen following a lawsuit filed by Naftogaz.

The Russian leadership has switched to its standard option: pretend nothing happened and wait for the situation to resolve itself.