The Barents Observer

16/01/2026

Norway's export of smolt to Russia increased in 2025.

As Norwegian fisheries sanctions against Russia hardens, the export of Norwegian salmon smolt reached its highest value in 2025.

16/01/2026

Maritime identity fraud in the Arctic: An oil tanker with false IMO number is on the way along the Norwegian coast en route to Murmansk https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/tanker-with-false-imo-number-sails-in-the-barents-sea/443572

15/01/2026

The 200th Motorised Rifle Brigade in Pechenga, Kola Peninsula, has been renamed the 71st Guards Motorised Rifle Division. The reorganisation is part of a military buildup along the border to Finland and Norway, Moscow says

The 200th Motorised Rifle Brigade, which has suffered major losses in Ukraine, has been renamed the 71st Guards Motorised Rifle Division. The reorganisation is part of a military buildup along the border to Finland and Norway, according to Russian government officials.

15/01/2026

🇫🇮🇳🇴🇬🇧 are stepping up on Arctic security.

Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Yvette Cooper is touring the Arctic Circle to bolster regional security and to highlight the importance of putting up a stronger challenge against hostile states who seek to meddle in the High North.

14/01/2026

The United States is not drawing down its forces training with NATO allies inside the Arctic Circle amid turmoil over Trump's threats to seize control of Greenland.

The United States is not drawing down its forces training with NATO allies inside the Arctic Circle amid turmoil over Trump's threats to seize control of Greenland .

14/01/2026

First giving free booze, the special recruiters force drunk villagers to sign contract with the 🇷🇺 military to become cannon fodder at the battlefields in 🇺🇦 where many get killed a few weeks later.

Military recruiters abduct men from their homes and force them to sign contracts, even if they are heavily intoxicated. Some of the men are killed in the first battle, the Barents Observer found out.

13/01/2026

As global warming surges towards the UN's two-degree target, the Norwegian government offers another 57 oil licenses on the shelf

As global warming surges towards the UN's two-degree target, the Norwegian government offers another 57 oil licenses on the shelf.

12/01/2026

Russia claims that two maritime patrol aircraft conducted a 30-hour Arctic flight, including mid-air tanking near the North Pole.

Russia claims that two maritime patrol aircraft have made a 30-hour Arctic flight, including mid-air tanking near the North Pole.

12/01/2026

Flight cancellations continue at airports in Lapland due to very severe frost. The temperature in Kittilä was -40°C at noon on Monday.

Flight cancellations continue Monday at Kittilä and Rovaniemi airports due to very severe frost.

09/01/2026

Border crossings between 🇸🇯 and 🇷🇺 have dropped significantly as few Russians get visa to Norway and even fewer Norwegians have an interest in exploring the warmongering neighbor.

Excluding the years with pandemic, the Norwegian-Russian border has not seen lower numbers since before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

08/01/2026

🔸Российский рыбный олигарх судится с Норвегией.

Глава Norebo Виталий Орлов подал иск против норвежских властей после запрета судам компании заходить в экономическую зону и порты страны — из-за подозрений в разведывательной деятельности.

Компания, попавшая под 17-й пакет санкций ЕС, отвергает обвинения в шпионаже и настаивает, что Норвегия превысила свои полномочия. Власти же указывают на «подозрительные маршруты» судов и возможную угрозу подводной инфраструктуре. Разбирательство пройдёт в суде Осло 26 января.

Рыбопромышленной компании Виталия Орлова Norebo отказали в доступе в норвежскую экономическую зону из-за подозрений в разведывательной деятельности. Теперь Орлов п....

08/01/2026

One of the largest fishing companies in Russia, Norebo, was included in the 17th Sanction Package of ...