Thomas Nilsen

Russia exercised nuclear triad in the Barents region

Missiles where Wednesday launched from the Barents Sea, Plesetsk and long-range bombers.
December 09, 2020

Nuclear-sub builder Sevmash now has 30,000 employees

Russia's construction of nuclear-powered submarines hits post-Soviet peak. 15 sub are currently at different stages of readiness at the shipyard in Severodvinsk.
December 09, 2020

Amid pandemic, Finnair pioneers VR flights to Rovaniemi

The flights to Arctic Finland are a showcase for how travel industry could use new technology to enrich people's travel experiences.
December 08, 2020

Amid record low Arctic sea-ice, Russia to lay down yet another nuclear icebreaker

The fifth in a row of nuclear-powered icebreaker of Project 22220 will be laid down at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg on December 18.
December 08, 2020

Three persons per day cross EU's northernmost border checkpoint

Only 97 people crossed the Finnish-Russian border checkpoint at Raja-Jooseppi in November.
December 08, 2020

Soldiers on ground in northern Norway pointed out targets for American B-52

Sørreisa control and reporting centre inside the Arctic Circle kept track of the flights.
December 04, 2020

No more smoke on the water from Russia's aircraft carrier

The Northern Fleet's aircraft carrier will embark on tests in the Barents Sea in 2022 with main boilers, diesel generators and main turbo-gear units replaced.
December 04, 2020

Less pollution expected as Nornickel resumes sulfuric acid production in Monchegorsk

After a year with several smog incidents damaging the nature surrounding the factories, the company now launches several projects aimed at making the skies blue.
December 03, 2020

On patrol along its Arctic coast, Norway's relation with Russia is challenged between deterrence and reassurance

VARANGER FJORD - Top speed is classified but make no mistake, the KNM Gnist is the fastest and most maneuverable warship that ever has patrolled these border waters up north. For Norway, however, navigating its security policy as times get rough is becoming more and more difficult.
December 01, 2020

Nuclear-powered carrier returns from South-Atlantic after propeller blade fell off

Mission aborted: Russia’s new complex for the expanded Vostok Antarctica station will be delayed with a year as Sevmorput has to turn back to St. Petersburg after sailing zigzag outside Angola for a month.
November 26, 2020

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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