Russia says 69 passengers, crew evacuated from research vessel seized by Norway

A group of 69 passengers and crew members from the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, which was seized by Norway in Svalbard last week, crossed the Russian-Norwegian border on Tuesday and is heading to Murmansk, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

The Russian citizens were evacuated from the Svalbard archipelago with the assistance of Norwegian authorities and in coordination with the Russian state-owned Arcticugol company, Russia’s Embassy in Oslo and its consulates in Svalbard and Kirkenes, Zakharova said in a statement.

"On September 8, a group of passengers and crew members (a total of 69 people) from the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, which had been seized on September 2 in Svalbard at the request of Ukrainian companies, crossed the Russian-Norwegian border and is heading to Murmansk," she said.

According to Zakharova, the Russian citizens had received the necessary assistance and support during the evacuation.

After they crossed the border, the Murmansk regional authorities took over arrangements for their onward travel to Murmansk, she noted.

The Professor Molchanov was seized on Svalbard on Sept. 2 following a request from Ukrainian companies.

A Norwegian court ordered the seizure as an interim measure in connection with enforcement of an arbitration award concerning Ukrainian company Naftogaz’s assets in Crimea, according to the governor of Svalbard.

The vessel remains in Svalbard pending further proceedings.