69 Russians return home as ‘Professor Molchanov’ remains impounded in Norway over a claim by Ukraine’s Naftogaz

Sixty-nine Russian citizens who were aboard the Professor Molchanov, which was impounded in Norway several days ago, have returned home, the governor of Svalbard said.

The Russians had originally been scheduled to return home aboard the impounded vessel. Instead, the governor “assisted” with their return ahead of schedule “after good cooperation” with the Russian consul general in Barentsburg and representatives of the Arktikugol trust.

Alexey Chekunkov, Russia’s minister for the development of the Far East and Arctic, said Russia “will continue working to secure the release of the Professor Molchanov, which was illegally detained by Norwegian authorities.”

A court ordered the Professor Molchanov impounded on September 2 after granting a claim filed by Ukraine’s Naftogaz. According to the governor of Svalbard’s website, the seizure was part of Naftogaz’s effort to recover funds expropriated by Russia in 2014.

At the time, the governor said the vessel would remain moored in Barentsburg until further notice and that the authorities, together with the Arktikugol trust, would take care of the crew and passengers aboard.

The Professor Molchanov is a research vessel used for polar and oceanographic studies. Since 2025, it has made regular voyages between Murmansk and Barentsburg, carrying tourists, scientists, Arktikugol employees, and their family members to Svalbard. Ten such voyages were planned for 2026.