Key facts
- Norway seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov on September 2.
- The seizure was requested by Ukraine's Naftogaz to enforce a $4.22 billion debt ruling.
- The vessel is used for commercial expedition cruises and is owned by the Russian Federation.
- Russia condemned the seizure as 'state terrorism' and a violation of international law.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's ambassador to protest the action.
Norwegian authorities seized a Russian vessel in the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at the request of Ukraine, drawing condemnation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who compared it to 'state terrorism.' The seizure of the Professor Molchanov on September 2 is part of Ukraine's efforts to recover a $4.22 billion arbitration award against Russia, stemming from the 2014 annexation of Crimea and seizure of Ukrainian energy assets. A Norwegian court ordered the vessel's seizure to enforce the award. The Professor Molchanov, used for commercial expedition cruises, is owned by the Russian Federation and was carrying workers, scientists, and cargo to Russian settlements on Svalbard. Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko stated that this is an important step towards justice and that the company will continue to pursue Russian assets globally. Russian officials, including Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov, called the seizure a 'politically motivated violation of international law' and stated they would appeal the court's decision. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's ambassador to protest, claiming the seizure left Russian citizens and organizations in Svalbard 'effectively under a state of blockade.'