The Barents Observer
@thebarentsobserver.com
Europe's northernmost independent English-Russian online newspaper. Cross-border news from the Arctic, Russia, and Nordic. Fighting censorship, supporting democracy! Our news-portal: barentsobserver.com
A 45-year-old artillery boat that once led the Navy Day parade in Polyarny, Kola Peninsula, has been transferred to Sevastopol, the Ukrainian city temporarily occupied by Russia
From Polyarny to Sevastopol
A 45-year-old artillery boat that once led the Navy Day parade in Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula has been transferred to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula temporarily occupied by Russia.
thebarentsobserver.com
The Russian Navy has carried out a large-scale live-fire exercise simulating the defence of the Kola Peninsula against a seaborne attack, deploying submarines, surface warships, fighter jets and coastal missile systems.
Northern Fleet conducts multiple missile launches near Norway in the Barents Sea
The Russian Navy has carried out a large-scale live-fire exercise simulating the defence of the Kola Peninsula against a seaborne attack, deploying submarines, surface warships, fighter jets and coast...
thebarentsobserver.com
Several sanctioned oil tankers will be part of a convoy that might become the largest ever to traverse the Northern Sea Route
Large group of sanctioned tankers prepares for icy convoy on Northern Sea Route
At least nine tankers and four cargo vessels are drifting in the northeastern part of the Kara Sea, waiting for nuclear icebreakers to escort them across the desolate Arctic waters.
thebarentsobserver.com
Murmansk governor announces construction start for Kola NPP-2
Murmansk governor announces construction start for Kola NPP-2
However, project operator Rosenergoatom has yet to announce the start of construction of the new nuclear power plant.
thebarentsobserver.com
Despite international sanctions, Russian natural gas company Novatek is building a new major LNG terminal and reservoir park by Kola Bay, Murmansk region
New LNG terminal and reservoir park under construction in Kola Bay
The industrial facilities under construction across the bay from the Northern Fleet headquarters in Severomorsk are part of a new major project—the Murmansk LNG—according to natural gas company Novate...
thebarentsobserver.com
Six of the Tu-95MS strategic bombers that took part in today’s deadly and devastating raids against Ukrainian towns took off from the Olenya base in the Murmansk region
Bombers from Kola Peninsula brought death to Ukrainian towns
Six of the Tu-95MS strategic bombers that took part in today’s deadly and devastating raids against Ukrainian towns and settlements took off from the Olenya base in the Murmansk region.
thebarentsobserver.com
The exercise probably includes the launch of Onyx missiles from three Bastion complexes located on the Rybachii Peninsula, only few kilometres from the border with Norway
Russia unfolds large-scale naval exercise near Norwegian border
At least two of the Northern Fleet’s most powerful warships have set out from the naval base of Severomorsk to take part in drills off the Rybachii Peninsula.
thebarentsobserver.com
In his address at the launching ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev quoted Emperor Alexander III, who ruled from 1881 to 1894: "Russia has only two allies: the army and the navy."
Sevmash launches Ulyanovsk multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarine
Ulyanovsk, the sixth serial-built Yasen-M class nuclear-powered submarine, has been launched at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. The vessel is expected to join Russia's Northern Fleet.
thebarentsobserver.com
As more Ukrainian attacks loom, regional authorities in Murmansk are officially banning photos and videos of drone strikes and air defence activity
Take a photo of a Ukrainian drone - face a 1 million rouble fine
As more Ukrainian attacks loom, regional authorities in Murmansk, northern Russia, are officially banning footage of drone strikes and air defence activity.
thebarentsobserver.com
The Norwegian organisation Ukrainian Freedom Convoys has been declared a so-called "undesirable organisation" by the Russian Justice Ministry
'This is a recognition of our work with Ukrainian soldiers'
The Norwegian organisation Ukrainian Freedom Convoys has been declared a so-called 'undesirable organisation' by the Russian Justice Ministry.
thebarentsobserver.com
Among the ships included in the EU’s 21st Package of Sanctions against Russia is the Aleksey Kosygin, an LNG carrier that operates on the Northern Sea Route
EU blacklists more Russian Arctic vessels
Among the ships included in the EU’s 21st Package of Sanctions against Russia is the Aleksey Kosygin, an LNG carrier that operates on the Northern Sea Route.
thebarentsobserver.com
Russia’s Northern Fleet celebrated Navy Day against the backdrop of drone threats and a major death toll in the war against Ukraine
Navy Day without ships
Russia’s Northern Fleet celebrated Navy Day against the backdrop of drone threats and a major death toll in the war against Ukraine.
thebarentsobserver.com
The attacks against Wildberries' warehouses in St.Petersburg and Leningrad region will have consequences for deliveries of consumer goods across Northwest Russia
Ukrainian forces strike Wildberries hubs in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region
The Ukrainian attacks will have consequences for deliveries of goods across Northwest Russia. Over the past week alone, at least nine facilities belonging to Wildberries—Russia’s largest marketplace f...
thebarentsobserver.com
Luxury yachts crowd around Svalbard; among them is Oleg Tinkov’s La Datcha
Luxury yachts crowd around Svalbard; among them is Oleg Tinkov’s La Datcha
The Russian billionaire’s private icebreaker yacht, equipped with two helicopters and a three-seat submersible, is spending this summer in the Arctic waters around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbar...
thebarentsobserver.com
Equinor discovers more oil near Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea
Equinor discovers more oil near Johan Castberg field
The Norwegian energy company has reported a discovery in a well located about six kilometres north of the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea.
thebarentsobserver.com
Russian lawmakers approve bill effectively stripping exiled Russians of key citizenship rights
Russian lawmakers approve bill effectively stripping exiled Russians of key citizenship rights
Ahead of the vote, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin branded Russians living abroad who oppose the government as 'traitors' and 'criminals.'
thebarentsobserver.com
State-of-the-art technology is providing a far more precise picture of Norway’s wetlands. The LAVDAS project is testing new mapping methods to reveal the location of Norway’s peat bogs and fens. Partner story by the Fram Centre
LAVDAS: Advancing nationwide wetland mapping
State-of-the-art technology is providing a far more precise picture of Norway’s wetlands. The LAVDAS project is testing new mapping methods to reveal the location of Norway’s peat bogs and fens.
thebarentsobserver.com
The risks behind Rosneft’s new Arctic megaproject Vostok Oil. According to the company, the first oil shipments from the coast of the Taymyr Peninsula are due to start in September 2026. Partner story by Arctida
Oil pipeline on thin ice
The risks behind Rosneft’s new Arctic megaproject. Arctida looks into the development of Vostok Oil on the Taymyr Peninsula.
thebarentsobserver.com
Russia 2026: Fuel vouchers are offered in exchange for fertility consultations
Russia: Fuel vouchers are offered in exchange for fertility consultations
Residents of Naryan-Mar, northern Russia, are being offered fuel vouchers worth 1,000 roubles (€11) if they undergo reproductive health checks and family planning consultations at the local hospital. ...
thebarentsobserver.com
Nuclear power company Rosatom has gotten a construction license for the first two reactor units at a projected new power plant on the Kola Peninsula, the Kola NPP-2
Kola NPP-2 receives construction licence for first reactor units
Russia's regulator authority Rostekhnadzor has granted nuclear power company Rosatom a licence to begin construction of the first two reactor units at the Kola Nuclear Power Plant-2. However, the regi...
thebarentsobserver.com
Two heavy-load carriers have arrived in Belokamenka on the Kola Peninsula with Chinese-made modules for Novatek’s heavily sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project
Construction of Arctic LNG platforms resumes as China-made modules arrive in Belokamenka
Two heavy-load carriers have arrived in Belokamenka on the Kola Peninsula with Chinese-made modules for Novatek’s heavily sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.
thebarentsobserver.com
Andrei Trofimov, a political prisoner who is serving a 13-year sentence in the strict-regime IK-9 Penal Colony in Karelia, has not been heard from since April
Political prisoner Andrei Trofimov disappears from contact
Andrei Trofimov, a political prisoner who is serving a 13-year sentence in the strict-regime IK-9 Penal Colony in Karelia, has not been heard from since April. He has stopped responding to letters, ha...
thebarentsobserver.com
Only a few days after publishing an essay in The Economist calling for Western restraint in the war in Ukraine, billionaire UAE-based businessman Andrei Melnichenko met with the governor of Murmansk to discuss seaports and mining on the Kola Peninsula
Oligarch Melnichenko meets with Murmansk warmonger governor Andrei Chibis
Only a few days after publishing an essay in The Economist calling for Western restraint in the war in Ukraine, the billionaire UAE-based businessman met with the governor of Murmansk to discuss seapo...
thebarentsobserver.com
"On the brink of emergency." Lawmakers in Arkhangelsk warn that a serious winter crisis looms unless federal authorities offer financial assistance
'On the brink of emergency': Arkhangelsk seeks Moscow bailout to avoid winter crisis
Lawmakers from the ruling United Russia party in the north Russian Arkhangelsk region have appealed to the federal government for emergency financial assistance, acknowledging that the regional budget...
thebarentsobserver.com
Mining and metallurgical company Nornickel is moving processing of palladium to Monchegorsk, Kola Peninsula
All of Nornickel’s palladium to be processed on the Kola Peninsula
Russia’s mining giant Nornickel is shifting a key stage of its precious metals production from Siberia to the Kola Peninsula, making its plant in Monchegorsk the company’s sole processing site for pal...
thebarentsobserver.com
What does “Arctic quality” means for Norwegians? A survey of over 1400 consumers shows most people view north Norwegian food and agriculture positively, primarily because local farming supports local value creation, culture, and natural qualities. Partner story by the Fram Centre
Arctic quality—What do consumers think?
What does “Arctic quality” mean for Norwegians? A survey of over 1400 consumers shows that the term itself is little known, but that most people view northern Norwegian food and agriculture positively...
thebarentsobserver.com
Students at war: Russia's Arctic University in Arkhangelsk deceives students into going to the front and produces drones for the military
Russia's Arctic University deceives students into going to the front and produces drones for the military
After the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, the Northern (Arctic) Federal University (NArFU) in Arkhangelsk immediately set a course towards supporting the war.
thebarentsobserver.com
Timofei Rogozhin has been declared a "foreign agent" by Russia's Ministry of Justice. The man who runs a sewing workshop in Mehamn, Northern Norway, has spread false information about Russian authorities and spoken out against the “special military operation,” says Moscow
“It is foolish to think that I will keep quiet”
Timofei Rogozhin has been declared a 'foreign agent' by Russia's Ministry of Justice. According to Moscow, the man who runs a sewing workshop in Mehamn, Northern Norway, has spread false information a...
thebarentsobserver.com
For the first time ever, a Russian nuclear icebreaker has operated in the Greenland Sea
Nuclear icebreaker escorts North Pole platform from Greenland Sea
After 21 months of drifting across the Arctic Ocean, Russia’s Severny Polus (North Pole) research station was this week escorted out of the ice.
thebarentsobserver.com
While the King hosted a reception for the Norwegian national football team following its success at the World Cup, the Queen anchored up with the royal yacht in Jarfjorden, near the border with Russia
While King Harald saluted Haaland at the Royal Palace, Queen Sonja travelled to the Russian border
The Norwegian royal family hosted a reception for the national football team following its success at the World Cup. At the same time, the queen anchored up with the royal yacht in Jarfjorden, near th...
thebarentsobserver.com