Moscow has blasted Norway’s seizure of the Russian‑owned vessel Professor Molchanov as an act of piracy, demanding the ship’s return and threatening diplomatic retaliation. The Norwegian Coast Guard seized the freighter in the Arctic after it allegedly failed to comply with a navigation order, citing safety concerns amid rising tensions in the region. Russian officials accuse Norway of overstepping maritime law and accuse the Norwegian authorities of targeting a civilian vessel to pressure Moscow. The incident has reignited a broader dispute over Arctic sovereignty and the conduct of naval patrols in contested waters.
Moscow challenges Norway's seizure of vessel, the Professor Molchanov, calling it an act of piracy.
