Russia Says 69 Passengers, Crew Evacuated from Norway-Seized Vessel

A total of 69 passengers and crew members from the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, which was seized by Norway in Svalbard last week, have crossed the Russian-Norwegian border and are travelling to Murmansk, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. In a statement, Zakharova said the Russian citizens were evacuated from the Svalbard archipelago with the assistance of Norwegian authorities and in coordination with Russia's state-owned Arcticugol company, the Russian Embassy in Oslo and Russian consulates in Svalbard and Kirkenes, The Caspian Post reports. She said the group crossed the border on September 8 after receiving the necessary assistance and support during the evacuation. Following their arrival in Russia, the Murmansk regional authorities took responsibility for arranging their onward journey to Murmansk, Zakharova added. The Professor Molchanov was seized in Svalbard on September 2 following a request from Ukrainian companies. According to the governor of Svalbard, a Norwegian court ordered the seizure as an interim measure in connection with enforcement of an arbitration ruling concerning Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz's assets in Crimea. The vessel remains in Svalbard as the legal proceedings continue.