Thomas Nilsen

COVID-19 spikes in Severomorsk as Russia sets single-day record for new infections

With 28 new cases on Tuesday, the Russian Northern Fleet's headquarters base now has reached 1,579 confirmed coronavirus infections.
October 13, 2020

Murmansk sees growth in domestic tourists amid crisis for international travel

The Russian north sees more domestic tourists, but tour operator Sergey Arzumanov in Murmansk says closed borders, quarantine measures and lack of a clear timetable for opening cause a colossal economic burden on businesses and people employed in tourism.
October 13, 2020

Double-decker train starts operations to Murmansk

Improved quality, service and capacity. The renovation program of Russian Railways has reached the northern capital of Murmansk.
October 13, 2020

Equinor's Barents Sea LNG plant will stay closed for the rest of the year

Norway's petroleum major Equinor has started investigation into the September 28 fire and now says a restart of production will take time.
October 13, 2020

With Chinese rig, Gazprom makes another major Kara Sea discovery

Gazprom says the new discovery makes the commercial value of the Leningradskoye field much higher than before.
October 12, 2020

European Parliament approves 60% emission cut by 2030 in landmark vote

The roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050 needs binding obligation for all member states by 2030 and 2040, the MEPs say in a vote on the EU climate law.
October 09, 2020

PM Mishustin approves e-visa for Nordic citizens from February 2021

Entry to Russia will be much easier as e-visas for tourism, business, humanitarian and guest visits will be issued online for stays up to 16 days.
October 08, 2020

Northern Fleet frigate test-launched hypersonic cruise missile across the Kola Peninsula

The Tsirkon missile was launched from the White Sea, hit a naval target in the Barents Sea, and reached a speed of Mach 8.
October 07, 2020

Wizz Air starts domestic routes in Norway with flights to Tromsø for €18

With four flights per day between Oslo and Tromsø, the low-fare airline offers the cheapest tickets seen to a destination north of the Arctic Circle.
October 06, 2020

Old nuclear sub gets new life at Nerpa shipyard

The Victor-III class submarine Tambov is expected to start new sea trials in 2021 after six years of repair and modernization.
October 05, 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