Atle Staalesen

It is mid-winter, but world's most powerful icebreaker lies idle in port

The brand new Arktika has not been sailing since the middle of December.
February 12, 2021

Ice cold winter on far northern coast, but nearby Arctic waters are record warm

Northern Russia and Scandinavia had the coldest January in years. Meanwhile, adjacent Arctic waters were up to 8 C° warmer than normal.
February 11, 2021

New Russian fighter jets on standby in upgraded Arctic air base

A first shift of crews and MiG-31BM takes place at the Rogachevo air field in Novaya Zemlya
February 08, 2021

Nornickel must pay €1.62 billion for its huge oil spill on Arctic tundra

More than 21,000 tons of diesel oil spilled into rivers, lakes and vulnerable wetlands. Now, the company has to pay the biggest fine ever issued in modern Russia.
February 05, 2021

Russia sees population shrink by half a million in 2020

The demographic decline is the biggest in 15 years. The northern region of Murmansk is among the worst affected.
February 04, 2021

Tanker embarks on first ever mid-winter voyage on Northern Sea Route

The Christophe de Margerie is approaching the Bering Strait on a historical voyage across the icy waters of the Russian Arctic shipping route.
February 03, 2021

Nordic countries condemn Kremlin's persecution of Aleksei Navalny

In a joint front, Nordic leaders call on Russia to end crackdown on protesters and release the arrested opposition leader.
February 03, 2021

Brand new large landing ship sails into home port of Severomorsk

The "Pyotr Morgunov" is able to carry up to 36 armored vehicles and 300 marines from Russia's Northern Fleet.
February 02, 2021

Softening of environmental law paves way for big oil push into pristine Arctic lands

A lobby offensive by Russia's biggest oil companies is followed by more relaxed eco-regulations for the far northern region.
February 01, 2021

Moscow ponders over future for Arctic natural gas

A government working group is set up to find a way for the key national industry that is increasingly squeezed by world energy transition.
January 29, 2021

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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