Russia evacuates Spitsbergen expedition after ship arrest
Russia is evacuating participants of a creative expedition from Spitsbergen after Norway arrested the ship 'Professor Molchanov' at Ukraine's request, citing unpaid arbitration compensation. The evacuation involves a vessel from Morspasflot for half the group, while the rest will return via air with consular support.
Consensus
- The Russian ship 'Professor Molchanov' was arrested by Norwegian authorities on September 2.
- The arrest was requested by Ukraine's state energy company 'Naftogaz'.
- The ship was detained due to an unpaid arbitration award of $4.22 billion related to assets seized in Crimea.
- Participants of the artistic-scientific expedition on board are in safety.
- Russia has deployed a vessel from Morspasflot to evacuate the expedition members.
- Half of the participants will be evacuated by sea using the Morspasflot ship, while the rest will return by air with consular assistance.
- Russian authorities are maintaining communication with those on Spitsbergen.
- Russia has lodged a formal protest with Norway over the arrest.
Points of divergence
- The Ministry of Transport of Russia has already allocated a rescue vessel for the evacuation. — vm
- The Ministry of Transport of Russia has already allocated the rescue vessel for the evacuation. — vesti
- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Norwegian ambassador in Moscow on September 3. — vm
- Russian diplomat Nikolai Korchunov stated that the arrest of the 'Professor Molchanov' will be challenged. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Chekunov: Morpspaflot will evacuate people from the ship arrested in Svalbard — Вечерняя Москва
- Participants of the expedition to Svalbard will be evacuated by the Marine Transport Fleet due to the arrest of the ship — Вести
Key entities
- Svalbard
- Arctic
- Far East
- Alexei Chekunkov
- Professor Molchanov
- Moscow
- Russia
- Norway
- Ministry of Development
- Morspaflot