Moscow summons Norwegian envoy over seized ship in Arctic archipelago

Russia has summoned the Norwegian ambassador to protest the seizure of a Russian research vessel in the Svalbard archipelago by Norwegian authorities.

The vessel, Professor Molchanov, was detained in a port in Svalbard while en route from Murmansk to Barentsburg with staff, scientists, and supplies, due to Norwegian sanctions described by Moscow as a blockade.

The seizure was made at the request of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz, seeking to enforce a $4.2 billion compensation award against Russia for assets expropriated in Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.

Russia has summoned the Norwegian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow after Norwegian authorities seized a Russian research vessel in a port in the Svalbard archipelago on Wednesday.

"The ambassador was conveyed a resolute protest against the actions of the Norwegian authorities, who had detained the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov," the ministry said on Thursday.

The ship had been travelling from Murmansk to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg carrying staff from the mining company Arktikugol, scientists and food supplies.

The supply voyage to Svalbard - an Arctic archipelago belonging to Norway - had been made necessary by Norwegian sanctions that Moscow has described as a blockade. Russia is seeking the release of the vessel. Consular assistance is being provided to the crew and passengers, the ministry said.

The Professor Molchanov was seized by Norwegian authorities at the request of the Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz, which is seeking to compel Moscow to meet outstanding financial obligations.

In 2023, an arbitration court awarded the Ukrainian state company around $4.2 billion in compensation for assets expropriated on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.