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Norwegian authorities seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov at Barentsburg on Svalbard on September 2, following a court order from Nord-Troms og Senja District Court issued on August 31, at the request of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz.
The vessel was seized in Barentsburg, according to Aftenposten.
Naftogaz stated the seizure is part of efforts to recover assets following Russia's unlawful expropriation of the company's property in Crimea. "This is another important step toward restoring justice after Russia's illegal seizure of Naftogaz's assets in Crimea. Russia cannot evade accountability simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitration ruling," said acting CEO Sergii Fedorenko.
Professor Molchanov is a Russian polar research and expedition vessel, well known in Arctic waters and frequently deployed in Svalbard waters. The vessel has operated scientific and tourist expedition voyages in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Arctic for decades.
The vessel remains under arrest in Barentsburg pending further legal proceedings.
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