A Russian 'police car' appearing on the Norwegian island of Svalbard has sparked questions and is seen as a provocation amid tense geopolitical conditions. The car, resembling a Russian police vehicle but labeled 'administration,' is part of a pattern by the Russian state-owned mining company Arktikugol to test Norwegian authorities. This incident highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty and security in the strategically important Arctic region.
Russian 'Police Car' on Norwegian Island Raises Concerns
Russian 'Police Car' on Norwegian Island Raises Concerns
A Russian 'police car' on Svalbard is raising questions. It is one of many Russian provocations on the strategically important archipelago.
- Russian actors are pushing the boundaries of Norwegian legislation, says expert Kari Aga Myklebost.
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean has become a focal point amid recent tense security-political conditions.
A treaty over 100 years old establishes that Norway has control over the archipelago but allows other countries, like Russia, to conduct business in the area.
Russia has repeatedly claimed recently that their presence on Svalbard is threatened and has accused Norway of having military ambitions on the island, contrary to the applicable regulations.
The Norwegian security police PST reports an increase in Russian activity on the archipelago.
- In recent years, we have seen changes in the activities of Russian and Chinese actors in the Arctic and on Svalbard, says PST chief Beate Gangås in a statement to the Norwegian newspaper VG.
Mining Company's 'Police Car'
Recently, a car very similar to a Russian police car has appeared in the town of Barentsburg, where the Russian state-owned mining company Arktikugol is based.
Barents Observer reports that it is almost identical to Russian police cars. The only difference is that the name 'politsiya' (police) has been replaced with 'administratsiya' (administration).
Imitating a police car is illegal in both Norway and Russia. According to Norwegian professor Kari Aga Myklebost, this follows a clear pattern from the state-owned mining company.
- Arktikugol stages various gray zone situations to provoke and test how Norwegian authorities react, she tells Barents.
Norwegian Statement: Exclusive Rights
Observers have previously pointed out Svalbard as a place where Russia could test NATO's collective defense guarantees through Article 5. PST tells VG that they have personnel on-site to monitor Russian activities.
This year marks 100 years since Svalbard fully became part of the Norwegian kingdom. During the anniversary year, among others, the Prime Minister, the royal couple, and other Norwegian leaders have been present to assert Norway's sovereignty in the area.
- Norway has full sovereignty over Svalbard. We have the exclusive right to exercise authority on the archipelago, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a celebration in August.
The Russian 'police car' was stopped this summer with Russian license plates, which were then removed, according to the archipelago's police to Barents.