Atle Staalesen

Police squads are hunting down anti-Putin protesters in north Russian cities

In the Komi capital of Syktyvkar, more than 100 protesters are reported to be on a police wanted list.
January 29, 2021

Big hassle in north Russian town as local school teacher stands up for free speech

Nikita Tushkanov has spurred the wrath of local authorities in the small Komi town of Mikun after his single-person protest in the town square.
January 28, 2021

Dying industry is still big business in Murmansk

European buyers are decline, but coal exports from Murmansk in 2020 nevertheless saw a significant growth.
January 27, 2021

Coal tycoon confirms construction start at new Taymyr terminal

We have 600 men and 200 pieces of machinery on site, says Roman Trotsenko.
January 26, 2021

Only two hours after standing trial for sharing music video by Rammstein, Andrey Borovikov is arrested for his support of Aleksey Navalny

Police in Arkhangelsk on Friday arrested activist Andrey Borovikov for organizing an unsanctioned rally in support of Aleksey Navalny. The detention took place only 2 hours after a court hearing on Borovikov's sharing of a video by German heavy metal band Rammstein.
January 25, 2021

New major wind power plant in Murmansk might produce green hydrogen

Project developers may have found their inspiration in Berlevåg, the nearby Norwegian town.
January 22, 2021

'Youth Army' steps up patriotic offensive in Murmansk schools

An agreement between the militarized youth organization and the Murmansk regional government includes the opening of Youth Army units in every school.
January 21, 2021

Russian bombers Tu-160 refuel in polar night over Arctic waters

The two supersonic heavy bombers proceeded across the Arctic Ocean, the Barents Sea and the White Sea in a show of force aimed at NATO forces.
January 20, 2021

LNG tanker loses engine power on Northern Sea Route

The Nikolay Yevgenov damaged one of its three azipods as it made its way through the icy Arctic waters.
January 19, 2021

"A step closer to year-round shipments on Northern Sea Route"

The sailing of LNG tanker Christophe de Margerie across the Russian Arctic seaway in mid January shows that shipping on the route can be extended through most of winter, the Russian Transport Minister says.
January 18, 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