Dozens of Russians evacuated from detained Professor Molchanov vessel

Sixty-nine Russian citizens who had been aboard the detained “Professor Molchanov” vessel have returned home, the Governor’s Office of Svalbard said.

The Russian nationals returned to Russia on September 8, traveling via the Norwegian town of Kirkenes.

According to the Governor’s Office, the return was facilitated following constructive discussions with the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Barentsburg and representatives of the Arcticugol trust.

The “Professor Molchanov” was detained by Norwegian authorities in Svalbard in early September at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz. A Norwegian Coast Guard representative said at the time that neither the coast guard nor the military had participated in the seizure of the vessel.

Under a court ruling, the ship is not permitted to leave its berth until further instructions are issued by the Governor of Svalbard.

It was subsequently reported that an Arctic biennale was being held aboard the vessel, with sculptors, artists and students aged between 18 and over 70 among those on board. A vessel operated by Morspassflot was allocated to assist with their evacuation.

By Vafa Guliyeva