Russian ship arrested in Norwegian port to compensate Ukraine’s Naftogaz for Crimean assets that Russia illegally seized
A Russian vessel, the Professor Molchanov, has been arrested in Norway following a request by the Naftogaz Group as part of the enforcement of an arbitration award to forcibly recover approximately $4.22 billion from Russia, plus interest and costs for assets illegally seized in temporarily occupied Crimea, the Naftogaz press service reported.
The decision was issued on 31 August 2026 by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court, the statement said. Under the court’s ruling, the vessel is not permitted to leave its current location – the port of Barentsburg in the Svalbard archipelago.
The vessel is used by Russia for commercial expedition cruises, Naftogaz clarified.
Earlier, ZMINA reported that in February 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees enacting the decisions of the National Security and Defence Council on new sanctions packages. The restrictions apply to both representatives of the so-called Russian “shadow fleet” and individuals and companies affiliated with the Russian military-industrial complex.
ZMINA also reported that police and border guards in Finland detained the Eagle S oil tanker, which is part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet that helps the Russian authorities generate revenue from energy sales despite sanctions.
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