Thomas Nilsen

Russia kicks off Barents Sea naval exercise

On the eve of Victory Day May 9th, more than 20 vessels sail out for combat training in the Barents Sea at the same time as NATO vessels are on exercise outside Northern Norway.
May 09, 2017

Satellite images show expansion of nuclear weapons sites on Kola

The reverse gear seems to hang up for continuing disarmament of nuclear weapons in the Arctic. Barents Observer has made a comprehensive review of satellite images from naval base-level storage facilities that confirms heavy construction works.
May 08, 2017

Submarine exercise kicks off outside northern Norway

Norwegian and other NATO submarines and surface vessels will train warfare in northern waters in the coming weeks.
May 05, 2017

Q1 industrial production up 13,5% in Murmansk region

Strong growth in both mining and manufacturing on the Kola Peninsula.
May 03, 2017

Now, Russia builds a submarine even bigger than the Typhoon

The Northern Fleet's new "Belgorod" research sub for Arctic waters will be world’s largest. To be put on water in Severodvinsk next year.
May 03, 2017

Disappointing start for Barents Sea drilling season

Lundin says the resource estimate for the Gohta discovery will be reduced after drilling of an appraisal well showed poor reservoir quality.
May 03, 2017

Lavrov heads to Finland first, then Alaska

Arctic and regional cooperation will be on the agenda when Russia’s Foreign Minister visits Finland next week. A few days later, Fairbanks, Alaska is the destination.
April 27, 2017

Luleå and Skellefteå on shortlist for battery gigafactory

Europe’s largest battery factory for electric cars could be built in northern Sweden.
April 27, 2017

Russia is now world's third largest spender on military

95 percent of the soldiers with the Northern Fleet are now on professional contracts, following a year when Russia increased defense spendings by 5.4%.
April 26, 2017

Barents oil production «more troublesome than expected»

ENI admits that first year of production at Goliat was challenging. The oil pumps will be shut down for a period in September.
April 25, 2017

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Thomas Nilsen is editor of the Independent Barents Observer with its news desk located in Kirkenes, northern Norway. He has a long experience in media cooperation across the borders in the high north of Europe, both as radio- and newspaper reporter all the way back to the days before the breakup of the Soviet Union. 

Nilsen has been editor of Barents Observer since 2009.

He was Deputy Head of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat from 2004-2009. Until 2003, he worked 12 years for the Bellona Foundation’s Russian study group, focusing on nuclear safety issues and general environmental challenges in northern areas and the Arctic. 

Thomas has been traveling extensively across northern Scandinavia and Arctic Russia since the late 80’s working for different media and organizations. He is also a guide at sea and in remote locations in the Russian north for various groups and regularly lectures on security issues, environmental and socio-economic development.

Thomas Nilsen studied at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Mobile: +47-90573143

thomas@thebarentsobserver.com
@nilsen.thomas