Atle Staalesen

Nordic-Baltic countries discuss building of 'drone wall' along border to Russia

Six NATO countries with a border to Russia agree to strengthen cooperation about security measures.
May 27, 2024

Closure of border will hardly affect local Russians, says Mayor of Kirkenes

Only few people will be allowed to cross the border between Russia and Norway following the introduction of new traveling restrictions by the Norwegian government. There is a difficult security situation in the region, admits Magnus Mæland, Mayor of border town Kirkenes.
May 23, 2024

Russian Navy shows off how frigate aims weapons against NATO aircraft

During training in the North Atlantic, the powerful Northern Fleet warship put an approaching P-8 NATO patrol aircraft in gunsight. Also two other NATO aircraft were targeted.
May 23, 2024

Russia says its North Pole platform is key to understanding climate change

But the floating Arctic research station can also be used for mapping of the seabed and underwater infrastructure, and serve as base for covert security operations.
May 23, 2024

This is how an agent from Murmansk built a network in Northern Norway

Sergei Goncharov and the Russian Geographical Society over several years cultivated a web of partners in neighbouring Norway. Today, he is unwilling to answer questions about covert recruitment of spies and mapping of Russian exiles in Norway.
May 20, 2024

New commander of North Russian armed forces has waged war in Ukraine and Syria

Three-star General Aleksandr Lapin is appointed head of the Leningrad Military District.
May 16, 2024

Ahead of Putin's meetings with Xi, North Russian Governor Aleksandr Tsybulsky talked Arctic shipping in Chinese port

During his visit to the port city of Dalian, Governor of Arkhangelsk Aleksandr Tsybulsky called on Chinese shippers to set course for the Northern Sea Route.
May 16, 2024

Guards on alert at Norway's future Arctic drone base

The Norwegian government allocates additional funding for security at Andøya, the Arctic air base that soon will house long-range drones.
May 14, 2024

The soldiers of Pechenga are fighting in Ukraine. Only kids were left marching in this year's 'victory parade'

The Russian far northern border municipality is heavily militarised. But this year, there were only school kids taking part in the local military parade.
May 10, 2024

Wagner Group waved the flag on Victory Day in Murmansk

Masked men in military uniforms waved the Wagner flag during the 9th of May parade in Murmansk
May 10, 2024

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Atle is journalist and Publisher of the Independent Barents Observer.

In 2002, he founded the Barents Observer. He was editor until 2009 and later worked as journalist and project coordinator for several European cross-border cooperation projects. In late 2015, following a conflict over editorial rights, he re-established the Barents Observer as an independent and non-profit stock company along with the rest of the newspaper crew.  

Atle has a degree in Russian studies from the University of Oslo and studied journalism at the Moscow State University.

atle@thebarentsobserver.com
@atlestaalesen