“I tried to do everything possible so that my native Pomor land would develop,” Igor Orlov said when he announced his resignation on Thursday.
2020 was the year when many new-built luxury polar classed cruise ships were supposed to bring wealthy tourists to the Arctic. The start of the season couldn’t be worse.
The far northern Yamal-Nenets region has got its first two registered cases of coronavirus
New legislation opens up for 5-year prison terms for fake news about the coronavirus.
Not since November 2011 has Svalbard had a monthly average temperature colder than normal.
Research - partner contents
Fram Centre
Polar bears in the Barents Sea population use their environment in two different ways. Bears that spend most of their time offshore are exposed to higher levels of pollutants than bears that stay along the coast due to differences in feeding habits, energy expenditure, and geographical distribution.
Fram Centre
The Arctic is the fastest-warming region on Earth: ice is melting faster than ever, exposing land that is ripe for colonisation and occupation by both native and invading species. But it is not only flora and fauna that are traveling north: so are we. Homo sapiens, the greatest invader of them all.
Fram Centre
On 7 April 1989, the Soviet nuclear attack submarine Komsomolets sank in the Norwegian Sea after a fire broke out. In the summer of 2019, Norwegian scientists finally had a chance to see the wreck on the seafloor with their own eyes and assess the status of any radioactive releases from the submarine.
The Barents Observer Newsletter
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Trine Baddari and her family spent years building the BIRK husky as a successful wilderness brand in the Pasvik valley. Coronavirus puts its future at stake.
The oil industry’s dream about a new oil province in the European Arctic seems to dissolve after years of unsuccessful test-drillings.
Russia’s natural gas company Gazprom says it intends to build pipelines from Yamal to Far Eastern Russian regions and China.
The regional governor calls on everyone to stay home and a local garment manufacturer has been commissioned to start production of face masks and protective suits.
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Security
NavyX, a British special program aimed at develop new technology for maritime warfare, chose Arctic conditions when several of its new "James Bond style" craft were tested for the first time.
A pair of F-35 fighter jets from Ørland air base and two F-16s from Bodø followed two Tu-142s and one MiG-31 over the Norwegian and North Sea Saturday.
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No spring in the north: European route E6 to Finnmark is closed due to snowy storms and alternative drive through Finland is not allowed with closed borders.
Infantry units carry out exercise with howitzers, anti-aircraft missile systems and chemical reconnaissance vehicles.
The about 100 researchers that on Tuesday set foot in Tromsø, Norway, will hardly be able to recognize the life they left in December.
Low-cost airline Norwegian says coronavirus disrupts demand for tickets and stops flying to Umeå, Luleå, Alta and Kirkenes.
For humans they are noisy and messy neighbours, but they come for a reason. Stronger storms and wilder weather by the coast give fewer surviving chicks in their natural bird cliff habitat.
Nine months after natural gas company Novatek moved all transshipment operations to Russian waters, a carrier fully loaded with LNG from Yamal is again sailing towards a reloading point in Arctic Norway.
Murmansk authorities take new strict measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.
A civilian who went onboard the cruise-missile carrier “Orel” had met with a man who tested positive to the coronavirus.
PHOTOS
A "person" rescued from sea. Click on the photo for more gallery images. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The scenario for the Norwegian, Russian Exercise Barents 2019 is an explosion on tanker in the maritime border areas between the Varanger Peninsula and the Fishermen peninsula. Planes and ships are searching the area for 28 missing 'persons' in the sea. Here, a Russian military Iluchin-38, normally used in anti-submarine operations. On sea, the Northern Fleet's ship "Altay" and FSB border guard ship "Zapolariye". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The annual exercise was this year led by the Russian side. Captain on bridge on Russia's Marine Rescue Service North Branch show the maritime area for search. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Captain on bridge of the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland" in radio contact with the Norwegian resources for the exercise. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Crew members on "KV Sortland" on watch for 'persons' missing at sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Russian Search- and Rescue (SAR) and oil spill recovery ship "Murman" with a military Iluchin-38. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Norwegian anti-submarine and surveillance aircraft P-3 Orion "Viking" flying over the search area. Like Russian aircraft were allowed to fly over Norwegian maritime area, the Norwegian aircraft were granted permission to cross the border to Russian airspace in the search area during the exercise. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
A Russian Northern Fleet Ka-27 search- and rescue helicopter in the skies over the three Russian vessels "Murman Ryba" (left), Northern Fleet's "Altay" and FSB Border Guard's "Zapolariye". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
One of the "missing persons" found in the sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Coast Guard RIB on the water ready to pick up people from the water. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian coast guard RIB was put on the water in full speed towards the person who could be difficult to see in the high waves. In the cold water Barents Sea, every minute counts when saving lives. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Full speed towards the person in the sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
It can be hard to lift a man out of the water. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing the missing "person" safely on bord the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
On watch for more people missing at sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Air Force's Sea King Search- and Rescue helicopter flying over Russian SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Sea King SAR helicopter arrives to pick up people and bring the to hospitals on the mainland. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Sea King SAR helicopter lifting people off the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Sea King SAR helicopter lifting people off the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bent-Ove Jamtli is Director of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway (JRCC). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Happy after successful rescue mission. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland" sailing side-by-side with the Russian SAR vessel "Murmansk" in the Barents Sea search area. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian Northern Fleet SAR helicopter Ka-27 lift off people from "Murman" rescue vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian military naval Ka-27 rescue helicopter. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian and Russian military and civilian search- and rescue resources work side-by-side together during Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing up on of the "persons" from the sea to the SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing up on of the "persons" from the sea to the SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
"Murman" is a Murmansk based rescue vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Oil spill preparedness was the second phase of Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian navy and civilian officers on bridge during Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian inner Coast Guard vessel "Farm" with the Russian Northern Fleet's "Altai" and a Mi-8 rescue helicopter flying the search area. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Norwegian Coastal Administration
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Jakob Østheim / Norwegian Defense
Photo: Marius Villanger / Norwegian Defense
Photo: KV Bergen / Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: KV Bergen / Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: KV Bergen / Norwegian Coast Guard
CLICK ON GALLERY TO SEE MORE. Apron and taxiways with the control tower. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Once upon a time, a busy runway for warplanes. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The mining town of Zapolyarny visible in the horizon from the huge closed down air base. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Woman on duty in the control tower. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
On the wall of the control tower. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Once upon a time, a Soviet military check-point. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Abandoned apartment blocks close to the air-field. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
«Peace on earth. We protected our freedom in fight». Photo: Thomas Nilsen
A golden bust of Yury Gagarin shines the glory of the town. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Abandoned apartments block. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
School bus in front of on of the few apartment blocks where people still are living. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The school in Korzunova. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
School bus ready to drive home the children from the military garrisons around Korzunova. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
"Tankodrom" - Roadsigns in Korzunova are not like in any other towns. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
There are still some military activities outside of Korzunova. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Scrap metal from installations once upon a time important for the Soviet air force. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Corroded bust of Lenin stands in front of one of the abounded buildings in the town center. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Workers tear down some of the old houses in the center of Korzunovo. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Gagarin museum. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Inside the Gagarin museum. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
A golden Yury Gagarin shines glory over Soviet space history. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Colonel Yuri Korzunov, a Soviet hero pilot from World War 2, gave the name to the town of Korzunovo. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The newly rebuilt monastery in Pechenga. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russia closes all its borders from March 30 in an attempt to curb the coronavirus.
Pressure against domestic media is mounting and the country steps up efforts to spread fake news abroad.
The world’s only vessel of the kind broke through thick Arctic ice on its way to the Utrenneye port.
Fearing spread of the coronavirus, Russian companies isolate large construction sites and industrial towns to the outside world.
The official number of cases in Russia doubles in only three days. Special hospitals are now prepared for massive infection all over the country.
Vyacheslav Gorodetsky says he can not accept the authorities’ growing interference in local journalism.
The chess tournament that included young players from several countries ended in scandal and the isolation of more than 100 people. Among them the city mayor.
Grand plans for drilling and field development in far northern Norwegian waters are being delayed and postponed.
Kindergartens, schools and universities will remain closed until after the Easter holiday.
A transport plane brings a long-awaited Mi-8 helicopter to the far northern Norwegian islands.
10,4% is the highest unemployment rate since Second World War.
“It’s a serious crisis,” says Elisabeth Aspaker, County Governor of Norway’s northernmost region. She calls on everyone not to disturb the reindeer as “they need all their energy to find food.”
The K-157 "Vepr" is first of five upgraded Akula-class subs that are about to return to active duty in the Barents Sea.
Next weekend is the last chance to fly north to Ivalo, Kittilä and Kuusamo with the Finnish national carrier.
Last day of skiing: All major ski resorts in northern Finland announced on Sunday that they will close the lifts.
90% of Russia’s fisheries in European Arctic waters are done by 80 vessels bought or repaired abroad. For customs reasons, they can’t make port calls to Murmansk.
Barents Must-Reads
The front of Hornsundbreen is retreating every year and will eventually open a new strait between the Barents- and Greenland Seas through the island of Spitsbergen.
Gloomy pictures of climate change from the top of the world.
Single-entry visas for a stay of up to 16 days will come in the start. Later, the goal is to issue multiple entry e-visas.
Investments in regional infrastructure and natural resource development will over the next years be equivalent to the country’s federal budget on health and education.
Øyvind Aas-Hansen with the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) is happy to cooperate with Aleksandr Vazhenin and Pavel Borisov from the Emergency Response Centre of Rosatom, Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation. A sharp increase in nuclear-powered vessels in Arctic waters causes concern among international safety experts who recently teamed up on a voyage to the Bear Island and Svalbard to see how drones can be used to detect possible hazardous radiation.
«We will never be able to have a 100 percent rescue preparedness around Svalbard,» says Bent-Ove Jamtli, Director of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of North Norway. He calls on the cruise operators themselves to carry life-saving equipment for mass evacuation in cold climate.
