# 69 Russians return home as ‘Professor Molchanov’ remains impounded in Norway over Naftogaz claim

https://mins.news/en/item/50159

- Meduza, 2026-09-08 17:38 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/08/69-russians-return-home-as-professor-molchanov-remains-impounded-in-norway-over-a-claim-by-ukraine-s-naftogaz

> Sixty-nine Russian citizens have returned home after the research vessel Professor Molchanov was impounded in Norway. A court ordered the seizure on September 2 following a claim by Ukraine’s Naftogaz to recover funds Russia allegedly expropriated in 2014. The ship remains moored in Barentsburg, while Russia calls the detention illegal and says it will seek the vessel’s release.

## Related coverage

- [Norway returns 69 Russians stranded in Arctic after ship arrest](https://mins.news/en/item/49856) — Reuters, 2026-09-08
- [Passengers of detained Professor Molchanov ship return to Russia from Spitsbergen](https://mins.news/en/item/49818) — TASS, 2026-09-08