People from Murmansk and northern Norway now have to fly via St. Petersburg or Moscow to get to Arkhangelsk.
On 24 November, the sun rose above the horizon for the last time in Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost municipality. For the next eight weeks or so, the northern part of Lapland will be clouded in an eerie dark blue until the sun rises again on 17 January.
It is December and European Arctic waters are free of ice way north of Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya.
About 95 charter planes bring Europeans to Finnish Lapland on Sunday, one of the busiest days in aviation history of northern Scandinavia.
Ten years after Gazprom started development of the huge natural gas reserves in Yamal, the company opens the third and final part of its Bovanenkovo project.
Ecology
Acoustic surveys for oil deposits beneath the seabed should be avoided if there are whales nearby, says Arne Liaklev with the Green Party.
After frost comes spring, but when it happens in mid-November plants get confused. That is not good news.
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.
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Sergey Lavrov and Ine Eriksen Søreide had bilateral talks in Milan on Thursday, but the Russian Foreign Minister could not directly say if he can make it to Kirkenes next year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Red Army's liberation of Eastern Finnmark.
The capital should recycle its waste instead of dumping it up north.
The «Boris Sokolov» is built in China, has Greek owners and will serve Russia’s grand Yamal LNG project on the coast of the Arctic Ocean.
The cruise missiles that can strike deep in northern Europe were launched from both a submarine and a surface vessel.
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Siste/ mest lest
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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Despite complicated ice conditions, more than 18 million tons of goods has been shipped along the Northern Sea Route in 2018, a 68% growth from 2017.
The Norwegian company did not find oil on 74 degrees north. Now, hopes are high for the upcoming well located only few kilometers from Russia.
First upgraded ballistic missile submarine has left Severodvinsk and embarked on comprehensive sea trials.
The human rights defender was due to be released from prison in Arkhangelsk before December. That did not happen.
In one of Russia’s remotest spots is going on a hectic construction of new housing, parks and local infrastructure.
Opinion
The Skolt Sámi journalist of Yle Sápmi has to ask the Chair of the Finnish Sámi Parliament for linguistic advice, as no Sámi language counseling is available at present due to lack of funding.
Eyes On Barents
Sámi language counseling has again been interrupted in Finland as a result of no financing.
A fleet of five LK-60 icebreakers will be built to keep waters open for the quickly growing Russian Arctic shipping.
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
Sergey Zybko is awarded the State Order for Achievements at Sea for his operations in Arctic waters.
The modified Tor surface to air missile system is placed on powerful belt wagons and can operate in temperatures down to minus 50.
Eye On the Arctic
Among 28 European Union countries, Finland is ranked ninth in efforts to combat climate change
As project planning of the new Pavlovsky ore processing plant and sea port proceeds, regional authorities say there will be plenty of money and jobs in the remote Arctic island.
Regional authorities will spend 100 million rubles on environmental upgrades of tundra lands as Gazprom starts development of its new major Arctic project.
Researchers find a huge influx of snow crabs in areas with dumped radioactive waste in the Kara Sea.
Eyes on Barents
The bright red main cloth has been embroidered with beads of different colors.
Natural gas company Novatek launches the third train of its grand Arctic plant more than a year ahead of schedule. At the same time, the first tons of LNG are reloaded near North Cape in Norway.
«We have efficiently learnt how to provide a progressive and balanced development of our army and fleet, that enables them to neutralize any potential threats.»
It is a move made to distract public attention from the scandalous sinking of frigate «Helge Ingstad», says Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
In a new move not seen before, Russia announced navy rocket training in the Norwegian Sea. But that was about it.
As this year’s drilling in icy waters comes to a close, Chinese rig «Nanhai VIII» prepares for departure home after operations in the Kara Sea.
Eyes on Barents
For five years, relatives of Finns shot during the Stalinist terror period have been waiting for a memorial sign to their ancestors in the Sandarmokh memorial complex.
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä says that he thinks Finland is ready to do more to fight climate change, after he hosted all nine parliamentary parties at a meeting to discuss ways to keep warming due to climate change down to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
China, Singapore, UK and Italy top the list of tourists flying in to northern Finland during Christmas season.
Third time in less than a month that the Russian navy warns about shooting exercises in Norway’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
It is black and dirty, and means big money for port developers in Murmansk.
Finland could reduce greenhouse gas emissions more sharply over the next decade than so far projected, according to a report published by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra on Monday.
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.