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Norway bars Russian vessel Professor Molchanov from Svalbard as Naftogaz pursues $4.22 billion Crimea award

9/2/2026

Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov and barred it from departing Svalbard, acting on a direct request from Naftogaz, Ukraine's state energy company.

The enforcement action follows Russia's nonpayment of a $4.22 billion arbitration award stemming from assets seized in Crimea. Naftogaz says the pursuit will extend to other jurisdictions until Russia pays in full.

The $4.22 billion award is the number in focus.

That judgment was handed down against Russia over assets seized in Crimea, and Naftogaz as the creditor has pursued a deliberate enforcement approach: identify Russian assets in jurisdictions where local authorities will honor the award and file for seizure.