Norway confirms arrest of Russian vessel

Norway has seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov, the office of the governor of Svalbard confirmed.

The decision to seize the vessel, moored in Barentsburg, was made by the governor at the order of the Nord-Troms District Court as part of a lawsuit by the Ukrainian company Naftogaz.

The vessel is prohibited from leaving its mooring until a corresponding decision by the authorities or the district court. The governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause, promised that the vessel's crew and passengers would be assisted in returning to Russia.

Earlier, Naftogaz reported the seizure of the vessel Professor Molchanov. "At the request of the Naftogaz group, the vessel 'Professor Molchanov,' which belongs to the Russian Federation and is used for commercial expedition cruises, was seized in Norway," the company said.

Source: Lenta.ru