Russians Aboard Ship Seized by Norway Have Returned Home, Foreign Ministry Says

Sep. 9, 2026 The Professor Molchanov. Alexander Ermolin / Handout via REUTERS A group of Russians who were on board a ship seized by Norway last week have returned home, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, as it accused authorities in Oslo of trying to push Russia out of the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The 69 Russian passengers and crew members were stuck for several days after a Norwegian court on Wednesday ordered the seizure of the Professor Molchanov, which operates as a cruise ship, at the request of the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz. Norwegian authorities said Tuesday that they had helped the group of Russians return home. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova credited Oslo’s “logistical support” in their return, as well as the help of Russian diplomats. “As far as we know, practically everyone has already returned home,” Zakharova said. But the legal and diplomatic standoff over the seized vessel is “far from being resolved,” she warned, adding that Russia plans to appeal the arrest of the Professor Molchanov. Russia argues that holding the ship violates the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, which allows equal economic access to the archipelago while giving Norway sovereignty over the territory. Svalbard, a Norwegian territory since 1925, lies midway between the North Pole and the European mainland. The Svalbard Treaty also allows citizens of signatory states, including Russia, to settle there without a visa. “We’re convinced that the Norwegian authorities’ actions belie the desire to complicate as much as possible the activities of Russian operators on Svalbard… and gradually move toward reducing Russia’s presence on the archipelago,” Zakharova said. The Professor Molchanov is being held in the town of Barentsburg, a Russian-operated coal mining settlement on Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago. Barentsburg is one of two Russian settlements in the Svalbard archipelago, which together have a population of 392, according to the Norwegian government. The court-ordered vessel seizure was made on behalf of Naftogaz, which is seeking to enforce a $4.22 billion compensation award for assets Russia took when it annexed Crimea in 2014. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Norway , Foreign Ministry Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia's Lavrov Urges De-Escalation in Call With Iranian FM Lavrov also stressed the need to "ensure the safety of the civilian population and civil infrastructure in all countries of the region." 1 Min read Denmark Threatens to Seize Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, Ambassador Says Ambassador Vladimir Barbin said the mayor’s office “is threatening to reclaim the land on which the Russian diplomatic mission buildings are situated... 2 Min read Russia Reduces Consular Staff in Norway Russia's two consulates in Norway said they would be temporarily suspending their consular services due to the staff cuts. 1 Min read opinion Vladimir Frolov How Terror Attacks Gift Russia Foreign Policy Opportunity Russia has waged a war on terror at home and abroad. But when Moscow calls for joining forces with the West to combat global terrorism, it inevitably pursues...