Russian ship Professor Moltsjanov arrested in Svalbard

The Russian vessel Professor Moltsjanov has been arrested in Svalbard following a request from the Ukrainian state-owned energy company Naftogaz. The arrest was executed by the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren) based on a decision by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court.

The legal action stems from a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which determined that Russia owes Naftogaz approximately 4.22 billion USD plus interest due to the seizure of assets in Crimea. Naftogaz sought to enforce this judgment by seizing Russian state assets, including the vessel.

While some reports suggested the ship's arrest might jeopardize the supply lines for Russian settlements in Barentsburg, local reports indicate this is inaccurate. Most supplies for Barentsburg are transported via Tromsø using Norwegian trucks, and other ships from Murmansk also provide cargo. The Professor Moltsjanov primarily served to facilitate access for Russian tourists and visitors to Svalbard, bypassing visa difficulties associated with flying through mainland Norway.