War and aggression has left regional cooperation with Russia in tatters. The Norwegian government nonetheless continues to nurture hope for a Russian return.
"Hello, this is Olesia Krivtsova from the Barents Observer calling. Can you comment on why they do not release the body of Navalny to his mother?" the reporter asked Russia's top national security chief.
Amid mounting threats from Moscow, the Norwegian Prime Minister underlines that he sees no immediate Russian threats against Norway. At the same time, he announces new and historic investments in national defense.
Roman Fyodorov headed the 200th Motorised Rifle Brigade in Pechenga before he recently took over the command of the nearby 61st Naval Infantry Brigade in Sputnik. In late 2023, he was awarded the order Hero of Russia for his participation of the onslaught on Ukraine.
"Today, our warriors are spilling blood for the sovereignty of our country and the rights of people to speak the Russian language," Yuri Trutnev said in a government commission meeting devoted to the situation on the Norwegian Arctic archipelago.
Norway has not faced such serious threats against its national security in several decades, the country's three main intelligence authorities warn in new reports. Among the key targets of malevolent foreign forces is Norwegian underwater infrastructure.
Russia's Minister of the Far East and Arctic told Spetsnaz soldiers returning from the front that their experiences will be useful in the remote region.
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.