Putin furious as Norway seizes Russian vessel in Arctic at Ukraine’s request

Oslo, Norway: Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian vessel in the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at Ukraine’s request, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to condemn the move and liken it to “state terrorism.”

A Norwegian court ordered the seizure as part of an effort by Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Naftogaz to recover a $4.22 billion arbitration award. The award relates to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the seizure of Ukrainian energy assets, including gas fields and pipelines.

Russia has refused to pay the award issued in 2023, prompting Naftogaz to approach courts in different countries in an effort to have Russian commercial assets seized.

The vessel, the Professor Molchanov, is used for commercial expedition cruises, including trips to Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago located more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) north of mainland Norway. The region is known for its snow-covered mountains, fjords and glaciers.

“This is another important step towards restoring justice for Russia’s unlawful seizure of Naftogaz assets in Crimea," Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko said. "Russia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award. We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world.”

Putin criticised the seizure while speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. He also addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s warning to foreign airlines to avoid Russia amid Ukrainian long-range drone attacks.

Putin said the incidents “complicated” prospects for future peace negotiations. He also accused Ukraine’s allies of being “complicit in international terrorism” by failing to speak out on the issues.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norway’s ambassador to Moscow, Heidi Olufsen, to formally protest the seizure.

The ministry said the ship is owned by Rosgidromet, Russia’s state agency responsible for weather and environmental monitoring. According to Moscow, the vessel was carrying workers, scientists and cargo to Russian settlements on one of Svalbard’s islands.

The seizure had left Russian citizens and organizations in the area “effectively under a state of blockade,” the ministry said, adding that Moscow “will seek to lift the vessel’s arrest.”

Russia’s ambassador to Norway, Nikolai Korchunov, described the seizure as a “politically motivated violation of international law,” according to the state news agency Tass.

Korchunov said the court’s decision would be appealed and that the Russian embassy was in contact with the vessel’s crew and passengers, Tass reported.

Svalbard Gov. Lars Fause said Professor Molchanov had not been permitted to leave its current location in Barentsburg.