Norway has seized the Russian expedition vessel Professor Molchanov\nin the Arctic region to assist the Ukrainian energy company, Naftogaz,\nin claiming compensation for assets seized by Russia in Crimea. The\nvalue of the compensation ruling reaches US$4.22 billion, or\napproximately Rp74.27 trillion.<\/p>\n
The seizure took place late on the night of 2 September in\nBarentsburg, a Russian-operated coal mining settlement in the Svalbard\narchipelago, under the provisions of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty. Russia\nimmediately condemned the move as an act of piracy and summoned the\nNorwegian ambassador to lodge a strong protest.<\/p>\n
The Russian Foreign Ministry assessed that Norway\u2019s policy towards\nRussian activities in Svalbard has violated international law.<\/p>\n
\u201cRussian organisations and citizens operating in the archipelago are\nessentially in a state of blockade,\u201d the ministry stated in its\nannouncement, as quoted by Reuters on Friday (4\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the Governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause, stated that\nNorway is prepared to assist the crew and passengers of the ship who\nwish to return to Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are establishing communication with the leadership of Barentsburg\nand are ready to find ways to return those people to Russia safely,\u201d he\ntold TV2.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian Ministry of Justice emphasised that the dispute over\nthe ship is a matter between Naftogaz and Russia, rather than a conflict\ninvolving the Oslo government. The seizure order was issued by a\ndistrict court on 31 August, requiring the Governor of Svalbard to\nensure the ship is not moved.<\/p>\n
Naftogaz has been pursuing legal processes since 2016 to obtain\ncompensation for its assets taken by Russia following the occupation of\nCrimea. In April 2023, an arbitration court in The Hague ordered Russia\nto pay US$4.22 billion, plus interest and legal costs, but Moscow has\nrefused to recognise the court\u2019s jurisdiction and has stated it will not\npay.<\/p>\n
\u201cRussia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with\ninternational arbitration rulings,\u201d said Naftogaz Acting CEO Sergii\nFedorenko.<\/p>\n
Naftogaz lawyer, Clovis Trevino from Covington, estimates that Russia\nwill challenge the seizure in court. According to him, Russia\u2019s total\nliability to Naftogaz now reaches approximately US$6 billion, or Rp105.6\ntrillion, after accounting for interest and costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to win one more legal battle so that we can auction the ship\nand secure funds for our client; that is the primary goal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Professor Molchanov arrived in Barentsburg on 1 September,\ncarrying a group of Russian scientists. The 71-metre vessel, built in\nFinland in 1982, can carry 32 crew members and 52 passengers and is used\nfor scientific expeditions and commercial voyages. Naftogaz stated it\nwill continue to pursue Russian assets in various countries until the\ncompensation ruling is paid.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/caught-by-eagle-eye-russian-ship-seized-to-settle-debts-1788530155", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }