A comprehensive test program of the new radar is about to start aimed at having the modernized GLOBUS system operational in 2022.
Both Norway and Finland have brought up the jamming with Russia through diplomatic channels.
Two ships loaded with iron ore from Baffinland’s mine in Nunavut, northern Canada, have taken a shortcut to the Russian Far East.
As one of Russia’s aging marine research vessels burns at port in Murmansk, scientists warn there is no capacity left to do ecosystem mapping.
The first phase of Kittilä Airport’s new expansion project is nearly complete and its new areas will be open to the public next week, on Thursday, 22 November, according to national airport operator Finavia. The improvements are part of a 55 million euro project at airports across Lapland.
Travel
Finland’s most know comic book characters get a huge snowcastle ready before Christmas in Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle.
Additional to the cruise ships, the ban will be imposed on all land based operations, like hotels, restaurants and other establishments in Longyearbyen.
“Brim Explorer” will sail the Lofoten archipelago during summer and whale watching from Tromsø during winter.
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Russia’s military-patriotic movement Yunarmiya (Youth Army) now exceeds 270,000 members, including these 45 schoolchildren in Severodvinsk lined up on the hatches of the Typhoon submarine’s ballistic missile silos.
Fishermen can catch more shrimp, but should limit king crab fishing, marine researchers say about the upcoming catch season in the Barents Sea.
It was the maiden voyage of the «Rudolf Samoylovich» and it was made to the Fujian LNG Terminal in China.
Civilian passenger planes lost GPS signals on flights over Finnmark.
Partners
Siste/ mest lest
Security
Russia’s biggest floating dry docks might remain on the bottom of the Kola Bay.
The two Russian bombers were flying in international airspace simultaneously as NATO’s large Trident Juncture exercise takes place.
As the U.S. intends to exit the INF treaty, Russia’s Foreign Minister says the future of the treaty regulating strategic nuclear weapons in unclear.
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Company Enel admits the market situation is «difficult», but still proceeds with the development of a major wind farm in the Kola Peninsula.
Eyes on Barents
The human rights expert Alexey Tsykarev from Russia has been refused a visa to Finland. The refusal was based on the Schengen agreement’s paragraph on diseases that concern public health.
The 309 thousand ton big tanker «Kola» has been firmly anchored to the bottom of the Kola Bay as big volumes of oil are on the way from Lukoil’s Arctic fields.
GPS signals used for aircraft navigation in northeastern Lapland could be unreliable, Finland’s Air Navigation Services warns a week after similar warnings were issued in northernmost part of Norway.
Eyes on Barents
A new study shows that climate change has negative effects on the culture, well-being and mental health of the Sámi. Climate change brings new diseases both for people and reindeer.
«It is positive if they offer assistance to Norway,» says Director Legal Affairs with the Radiation Protection Authority Kristin Elise Frogg.
Head of the ecological monitoring and consulting group POMOR, Timofey Surovtsev, wants to counter Norwegian media's negative reporting on environmental problems in Russia.
PHOTOS
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
Photo: Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: Norwegian Coast Guard
Photo: Norwegian Coast Guard
Heros of the Great Patriotic war (World War II). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Final match in the sport hall was long ago. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Visitors can today step inside the buildings in Pyramiden. Like this sport hall. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Pyramiden is situated 50 kilometers north of Longyearbyen. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
".... our northern," reads half of the photo-collection poster left on the wall in the palace of culture. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The red tower of this town sign sculpture is made of old water-pipes from the coal mine. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The grand piano is an original "Red October" (Красный октябрь). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Imagine a Saturday evening when the palace of culture was packed with coal miners listening to classical music. Or maybe there was an Arctic version of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet on stage? Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Soviet fairy tale illustration on the wooden fence outside the school. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The blocks of flats are well preserved by the Arctic climate. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Likely a door to heaven for the coal miners. The sign reads "Beer Bar", but the last pint was emptied 20 years ago. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
No more water in the world's northernmost swimming pool. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
One lonely ice-skate left in the window. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The mechanical workshop for the coal mine. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The entrances to the coal mine are up in the mountain above the town. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
... and yes, it is also the world's northernmost bust of Lenin. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Yes, lots of children lived in Pyramiden, a well functioning family society. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Where people once lived, birds have now taken over. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Svalbard is famous for its bird-watching sites. Although this "bird-cliff" is somehow special. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Why the town was named Pyramiden? Well, take a look at the nearest mountain. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Comrade Lenin has a great panorama view over the town with the Nordenskiold glacier in the background. The town is still state-owned and maintained by the Russian mining company Arktikugol Trust. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
From the shafts, the coal was transported to port via this structure. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Coal loading crane in the port of Pyramiden. Operated by the Russians, but Svalbard is Norwegian land. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Nice playground under the Arctic sun, but image how it was to be a child here during polar night. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
USSR-Norwegian friendly connections. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Hammer and Sickle, the symbol of the Soviet Union. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Pyramiden even had its own cowshed. Nothing's like a fresh glas of milk after a long night in the coal mine at 79 degrees north. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
With a bit of luck you may meet an Arctic fox in between the abandoned buildings in Pyramiden. A bit curious, and not too afraid of humans if you keep a distance. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The hospital. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Children's reading book over a dusty version of the transcripts from the 27th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1986), the first congress presided over by Mikhail Gorbachev as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Outdoor sport stadion named after Yury Gagarin, the first man in space. Football field in summer, ice-skating rink during winter. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
In times of climate changes, Pyramiden coal power plant provided both heat and electricity. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Pyramiden was abandoned in 1998, but the houses are still in rather good shape and are maintained by Arktikugol Trust (Арктикуголь means Arctic coal). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
"Kuzbass" is another important coal region for Russia. Pyramiden heliport in the background. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Seems like this building is sad not to house people anymore. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Soviet-style Arctic art made of mosaic on the wall in the cantina. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Really large cooking pots in the cantina. For the coal miners. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Twelve-past-we-left-the-town. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Some plants are thirstier than others. For this one, it is too late. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The party is over. For good. Priviet (hello) vodka. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The main (and only) avenue in Pyramiden is named after the 60th anniversary of the October revolution. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
"No smoking". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Map of the world on top of the world. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Pyramiden coal harbor. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Long time ago, in Pyramiden, a green indoor plant decorated the cantina. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The world's northernmost Palace of Culture. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Once upon a time the world's northernmost kindergarten (rigth) and school (2-storey building). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Part of the port facility in Pyramiden. The Nordenskiöld glacier across the fjord. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Pyramiden is located in Billefjorden, an appendix fjord in the innermost part of Isfjorden. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Six strong steel wires bolted to shore keep the ill-fated frigate "KNM Helge Ingstad" stable as the Navy works day-and-night with the salvage operation.
Eyes on Barents
For thirteen years, there has been no reindeer herding agreement on the grazing of reindeer across the border between Sweden and Norway. In Sweden, reindeer herders view the 1751 Lapp Codicil as still valid.
After 25 years of economic aid from Norway to secure nuclear- and radioactive waste on the Kola Peninsula, the situation could be mirrored back.
The “Sevmorput” might start shuttling frozen fish along the Northern Sea Route.
The collision with an oil tanker early Thursday morning happened just north of Bergen.
Aleksandr Gutsan, who has worked closely with the FSB for decades, is new leader of the Northwest Federal District.
Eyes on Barents
Murmansk region search teams are fighting with a lack of consciousness and with officials.
With thinner Arctic ice comes softer regulations for vessels operating on the Northern Sea Route.
After 22 years in the local legislative assembly, Tamara Pryamikova is appointed new City Mayor of Murmansk.
Eyes on Barents
For two hours, people read the names of the inhabitants of the Komi Republic who were repressed during the Great Terror.
«Reasons to believe it could be related to military exercise activities outside Norway’s broders,» says the Civil Aviation Authority to the Barents Observer.
On Saturday, “Pyotr Velikiy” sailed out to the Barents Sea to exercise together with the air force and air defense.
After initial flux of neutron, the reactor reached its minimum controlled level of chain reaction and produced power Friday evening.
On Friday, Norwegian F-16 fighter jets were again scrambled to meet a pair of Tu-95 flying south from the Barents Sea.
Eyes on Barents
In the Arkhangelsk region, citizens are rallying against having to be a home for garbage from the capital
The young man who blew himself up inside the local FSB-building was a student at a local technical institute.
With American investors on board the mines near Kirkenes look set for a reopening.
A three-year road repair and safety upgrade is getting underway with funding from EU’s Kolarctic program.
Barents Must-Reads
This was once upon a time the world's northernmost kindergarten and primary school. Abandoned twenty years ago, Pyramiden coal-mining town on the northern edge of the world is a preserved display of what the Soviet Union wanted to offer in the Arctic if communism worked. It didn’t.
About 50 brand new reinforced large weapons bunkers are under construction at Okolnaya Bay just north of Severomorsk.
For visitors, the Russian town on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago combines the contrasts of pristine Arctic beauty and Soviet style industry. Nowadays, however, Barentsburg is reshaping its business-focus to become a modern Russian hub for explorer travellers.
The big winds that come in from the Barents Sea carry flush green power and profits. But developers are held back by sparse infrastructure. And a growing opposition from local groups.
Smile for military cooperation: Chief Officer at «KV Barentshav» Frode Urke (left) and Head of the Northern Fleet's exercise unit Aleksandr Ulyanov (in the middle) are happy to work together in the Barents Sea. The scenario is realistic; missing people and people in distress at sea and prevention of oil spill pollution.
Singer Vladimir Martynenko from Murmansk used to tour neighbouring Scandinavia with Russian ballades about faith and love. He was arrested and spent more than 2 years in Lefortovo after refusing to cooperate with the Federal Security Service.