Norwegian ambassador summoned to Russian Foreign Ministry over arrest of Russian vessel

Norwegian Ambassador Heidi Olufsen has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over the seizure of the Professor Molchanov vessel.

According to the statement on the ministry's website, cited by Report, Russia lodged a strong protest with Norway over the seizure of the Professor Molchanov, saying Moscow categorically rejects such actions and will seek the vessel's release.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the vessel is owned by the Northern Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of Roshydromet. It was carrying out a scheduled voyage from Murmansk to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg to deliver, among other things, employees of the Arktikugol Trust and scientists. The Professor Molchanov also supplies essential goods to the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden.

Norwegian authorities on September 2 ordered the seizure of the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, which was docked in the port of the Russian settlement of Barentsburg in the Svalbard archipelago.