The Barents Observer
@thebarentsobserver.com
Europe's northernmost independent English-Russian online newspaper. Cross-border news from the Arctic, Russia, and Nordic. Fighting censorship, supporting democracy! Our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebarentsobserver
The arch-conservative and militant church leader from Murmansk stands at the front of a new partnership between the Orthodox Church and the Russian government on the incorporation of spirituality and 'traditional values' in Russian sports
Mitrofan says sport and faith will make Russia great
The church leader from Murmansk stands at the front of a new partnership between the Orthodox Church and the Russian government on the incorporation of spirituality and 'traditional values' in Russian...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The arch-conservative and militant church leader from Murmansk stands at the front of a new partnership between the Orthodox Church and the Russian government on the incorporation of spirituality and 'traditional values' in Russian sports
October in Norway this year was the eighth warmest on record since measurements began in 1901. #climate
Weather above normal for 18 consecutive months
New temperature records in Norway and northern Russia suggest that this could be the warmest autumn in a century.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:10 AM
October in Norway this year was the eighth warmest on record since measurements began in 1901. #climate
🇷🇺 Consulate General in Kirkenes 🇳🇴 continues to recruit employees from the FSB Border Guard Service. Read about how the Barents Observer discovered Denis Kurilov's covert background.
Meet Denis Kurilov, second person with an FSB background at Russia's Consulate General in Kirkenes
In Kirkenes, the Russian consulate increasingly resembles a branch of the FSB border service: staff without diplomatic status live in the consulate building and appear at official meetings and public ...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:52 AM
🇷🇺 Consulate General in Kirkenes 🇳🇴 continues to recruit employees from the FSB Border Guard Service. Read about how the Barents Observer discovered Denis Kurilov's covert background.
Putin handed out state awards to the developers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. They have laid the foundation for a new generation reactor-powered weapons, he said
Putin presented state awards to developers of new doomsday weapon
On Russia's so-called Day of National Unity, the dictator handed out awards to the developers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. They have laid the foundation for a n...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Putin handed out state awards to the developers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. They have laid the foundation for a new generation reactor-powered weapons, he said
Putin's Security Council escalates nuclear-test wordings.
#NovayaZemlya #Putin #NuclearTests #Russia
#NovayaZemlya #Putin #NuclearTests #Russia
Belousov: 'Appropriate to begin immediate preparations for full-scale nuclear tests at the Novaya Zemlya'
The Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov made clear that the test site on the Arctic archipelago can be ready at short notice.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Putin's Security Council escalates nuclear-test wordings.
#NovayaZemlya #Putin #NuclearTests #Russia
#NovayaZemlya #Putin #NuclearTests #Russia
Meet Denis Kurilov, second person with an FSB background at Russia's Consulate General in #Kirkenes. Read about how the Barents Observer tracked the newest employee sent to Norway back to security unit No. 9804, FSB's Border Guard institute in Yaroslav. www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/meet-de...
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Meet Denis Kurilov, second person with an FSB background at Russia's Consulate General in #Kirkenes. Read about how the Barents Observer tracked the newest employee sent to Norway back to security unit No. 9804, FSB's Border Guard institute in Yaroslav. www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/meet-de...
The Russian patriotic organisation that is closely connected with the Kremlin and the Russian Defence Ministry opens a so-called Expedition and Tourist Centre on the Norwegian Arctic archipelago
Russian Geographical Society opens office on Svalbard
The organisation that is closely connected with the Kremlin and the Russian Defence Ministry opens a so-called Expedition and Tourist Centre on the Norwegian archipelago. 'It marks a new stage in our ...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The Russian patriotic organisation that is closely connected with the Kremlin and the Russian Defence Ministry opens a so-called Expedition and Tourist Centre on the Norwegian Arctic archipelago
Preparing for trouble: The European Commission has granted €16,4 million to improve border security along Norway’s 198 kilometres border with Russia.
Norway strengthens border security
The European Commission has granted Norway €16,4 million to improve border security along Norway’s 198 kilometres border with Russia.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Preparing for trouble: The European Commission has granted €16,4 million to improve border security along Norway’s 198 kilometres border with Russia.
OPINION: For Vladimir Putin and his ex-KGB cohort, threatening with the new reactor-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems brings Soviet nostalgia back onto the table. A look into history can help elucidating today's escalating Russian nuclear brinksmanship.
The Arctic has again become Moscow’s nuclear bluster playground
History is repeating itself.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
OPINION: For Vladimir Putin and his ex-KGB cohort, threatening with the new reactor-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems brings Soviet nostalgia back onto the table. A look into history can help elucidating today's escalating Russian nuclear brinksmanship.
The Khabarovsk was rolled out from the ship hall in Severodvinsk on Saturday. This submarine is the first in a class of vessels to be armed with Russia's new doomsday-weapon, the underwater nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed torpedo-looking robotic weapon.
Here comes Russia's first serial submarine to carry nuclear-powered giga-torpedoes
The Khabarovsk was launched from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk on Saturday.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The Khabarovsk was rolled out from the ship hall in Severodvinsk on Saturday. This submarine is the first in a class of vessels to be armed with Russia's new doomsday-weapon, the underwater nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed torpedo-looking robotic weapon.
Arctic tourism: Some experts anticipate that the cancellation of evening direct flights from Oslo to Kirkenes by Scandinavian Airlines in October this year will be a significant blow to the local tourism industry.
“We will have huge problems this winter season”
Although the number of tourists visiting northern Norway continues to increase, tour operators in Kirkenes are worried that the upcoming winter season will be difficult.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Arctic tourism: Some experts anticipate that the cancellation of evening direct flights from Oslo to Kirkenes by Scandinavian Airlines in October this year will be a significant blow to the local tourism industry.
Following the introduction of new American and European sanctions, all of Putin’s grand Arctic projects are subjected to an international ban
Frozen out
Following the introduction of new American and European sanctions, all of Putin’s grand Arctic projects are subjected to an international ban.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Following the introduction of new American and European sanctions, all of Putin’s grand Arctic projects are subjected to an international ban
Seven 🇷🇺 Tu-95 MS bombers from Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula targeted Ukraine in mass missile strike last night.
Seven bombers from Olenya targeted Ukraine in mass missile strike
Three people are reported killed, including a seven-year old girl after Russia launched 702 missiles and drones overnight into Thursday all across Ukraine. Residential buildings, energy sites and othe...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Seven 🇷🇺 Tu-95 MS bombers from Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula targeted Ukraine in mass missile strike last night.
"The international community should react strongly and impose sanctions against everyone that are doing trade and business with Rosatom, the Russian state corporation that are developing the reactors and nuclear warheads for these new systems," says Frederic Hauge with the Bellona Foundation.
Russia claims successful test of Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone
The drone was launched from a submarine on Tuesday October 28, Vladimir Putin said. The test has a huge psychological effect in a time when Moscow more than ever needs to flex deterrence.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
"The international community should react strongly and impose sanctions against everyone that are doing trade and business with Rosatom, the Russian state corporation that are developing the reactors and nuclear warheads for these new systems," says Frederic Hauge with the Bellona Foundation.
Russia claims successful test of 'Poseidon' nuclear-powered underwater drone. This "phycological weapon" test took place less than a week after the Burevestnik test at Novaya Zemlya.
Russia claims successful test of 'Poseidon' nuclear-powered underwater drone
The test took place on Tuesday October 28 and the huge drone was launched from a submarine, Vladimir Putin said.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Russia claims successful test of 'Poseidon' nuclear-powered underwater drone. This "phycological weapon" test took place less than a week after the Burevestnik test at Novaya Zemlya.
"Recent data is showing renewables surpassed coal as the world's largest energy source this year,” UN #Climate Change Executive Secretary said.
Global emissions to fall in the next decade, UN reports
Ahead of next month's climate summit in Brazil, the UN has emphasised positive trends while also highlighting the lack of global cooperation needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
"Recent data is showing renewables surpassed coal as the world's largest energy source this year,” UN #Climate Change Executive Secretary said.
Occupied territories and the Arctic are key focus areas as Putin declares 2027 ‘Year of Geography’
Occupied territories and the Arctic are focus areas as Putin declares 2027 ‘Year of Geography’
New maps of Russia will be consolidated in the course of the year, the dictator emphasizes.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Occupied territories and the Arctic are key focus areas as Putin declares 2027 ‘Year of Geography’
No radiation measured in Norway after Putin's nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile allegedly flew 14,000 km over the Arctic last Tuesday ☢️ 🚀 ⚛️
No radiation measured in Norway after Putin's Burevestnik missile allegedly flew 14,000 km
The Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told Vladimir Putin on Sunday that a successful test of the Burevestnik missile was carried out on October 21, with the missile flying 14,000 km and s...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
No radiation measured in Norway after Putin's nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile allegedly flew 14,000 km over the Arctic last Tuesday ☢️ 🚀 ⚛️
Sweeping new sanctions against the aggressor state
Sweeping new sanctions against the aggressor state
The EU and USA adopt new rounds of restrictive measures against the Russian energy sector. Among the vessels targeted by the EU as part of its 19th Sanction Package are several oil tankers currently l...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Sweeping new sanctions against the aggressor state
NOW: Russia on October 22 tested all three legs of its nuclear triad as part of the annual Grom (Thunder) strategic nuclear drills. An upgraded submarine from the 1980s played a key role
Centrepiece of Grom strategic nuclear exercise was a 40-year-old sub
Russia on October 22 tested all three legs of its nuclear triad as part of the annual Grom (Thunder) strategic nuclear drills. An upgraded submarine from the 1980s played a key role.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
NOW: Russia on October 22 tested all three legs of its nuclear triad as part of the annual Grom (Thunder) strategic nuclear drills. An upgraded submarine from the 1980s played a key role
Three days after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, a cargo ship previously used for Russian weapons deliveries set out from the north Russian port of Arkhangelsk towards Tartus, Syria
Sanctioned carrier is on the way from Arkhangelsk to Syria
Three days after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, a cargo ship that frequently has carried weapons for the Russian armed forces set out from the north Russian port o...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Three days after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, a cargo ship previously used for Russian weapons deliveries set out from the north Russian port of Arkhangelsk towards Tartus, Syria
Moscow puts money on the table to raise two wrecked nuclear submarines from the Arctic seabed.
Moscow puts money on the table to raise nuclear subs from Arctic seabed
The Government’s draft budget for 2026, and the planned budget for 2027-2028, include funding to lift the K-27 and K-159, two wreaked submarines that rest on the seabed in the Barents Sea and Kara Sea...
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Moscow puts money on the table to raise two wrecked nuclear submarines from the Arctic seabed.
Russian 'spy ships' snoop on German Navy's large Arctic exercise #MaritimeFiringExercise
Russian 'spy ships' snoop on German Navy's large Arctic exercise
Two Russian vessels suspiciously zigzag in the Norwegian Sea, near the area of the ongoing German Maritime Firing Exercise.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Russian 'spy ships' snoop on German Navy's large Arctic exercise #MaritimeFiringExercise
Russia readies Barents Sea for annual nuclear strategic exercise Grom (Thunder).
Russia readies Barents Sea for annual Thunder nuke exercise
The annual Grom (Thunder in Russian) strategic nuclear exercise will most likely take place this or next week. Parts of the Barents Sea is closed off in the periods October 20-24 and the 28.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Russia readies Barents Sea for annual nuclear strategic exercise Grom (Thunder).
Half of the CO₂ released by human activities, such as through burning fossil fuels, enters the atmosphere... This impacts the climate all over the planet, including the Arctic.
Record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Actions needed now, Greenpeace says
“Our leaders must start doing their job: cutting emissions, fast,” the head of Greenpeace Norway told the Barents Observer.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Half of the CO₂ released by human activities, such as through burning fossil fuels, enters the atmosphere... This impacts the climate all over the planet, including the Arctic.