The Barents Observer

The Barents Observer is an online newspaper owned by journalists, focusing on the Barents Region and the Arctic. Committed to promoting cross-border journalism, dialogue, and mutual understanding, the Barents Observer delivers daily news from Scandinavia, Russia, and the Circumpolar Arctic. Our skilled team of reporters creates news articles and multimedia content that appeals to a global audience interested in Arctic matters. We cover important trends and developments in various topics, including climate change, energy and industry, shipping, civil society, politics, ecology, national security, and issues affecting indigenous peoples.

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Arctic Council to hold virtual chairmanship handover from Norway to Denmark on May 12

1 week ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

In response to an email query, the Council confirmed that all components of the forum -Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups, and Observers - will meet online only. The event will not be live-streamed. Transformation of workThe Arctic Council is an international forum for the eight Arctic nations and six Arctic Indigenous groups and focuses on emergency preparedness, environment and sustainable development in the North. The chairmanships rotate between the countries every two years.
EU’s raw materials plan an attack on Indigenous land and culture, says Saami Council

3 weeks ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The mining projects Talga Graphite in Nunasvaara, LKAB ReeMap in Malmberget, and LKAB Per Geijer in Kiruna, all located in Arctic Sweden, part of the traditional Saami homeland. “The EU is promoting the exploitation of minerals that contribute to human rights abuses within the EU,” Per-Olof Nutti, president of the Saami Council said in a statement.
Atlantification ushering in new era of sea ice loss in the Siberian Arctic

1 month ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found that his process—known as atlantification—is melting sea ice faster than ever before as it pushes further into the Arctic Ocean near Russia. “The eastern part of the Siberian Arctic Ocean is still strongly stratified, but the atlantification-driven shoaling of warm, salty, and nutrient-rich intermediate waters already has important ecological consequences there,” the authors on the international research team said in the study.
Finland, Sweden boost security in North with new police cooperation agreement

2 months ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

“The border area between Finland and Sweden is an exceptional state border region, where the community structure does not follow state borders (the Tornio-Haparanda area) and where cross-border interaction and cooperation are intensive in various areas of life,” Hannele Taavila, the Police Director in Finland told Eye on the Arctic.
‘207 weeks to go’-Norwegian foreign minister remarks on U.S. unpredictability

2 months ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Elias Thorsson

In a moment that drew audible laughter from the audience at the Arctic Frontiers Conference, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide made a subtle, but pointed remark about NATO’s uncertain future under U.S. President Donald Trump. “Yes, we have 207 weeks to go—one down,” he said, a clear reference to the remaining time in Trump’s presidential term.
Mothers and wives must take part of blame for big losses, military newspaper argues

Jan 24, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Atle Staalesen

"Every other mother and wife talks with third parties, including the enemy, about the location of their men in Ukraine. This information is compiled by the enemy and used for precision strikes."The warning comes as unofficial numbers of killed and wounded Russian soldiers exceed 800,000. Relatives are desperate for information about their beloved ones.
The watchmen at mount Iyvara sharpen Russia's view towards northern NATO territory

Jan 23, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Atle Staalesen

Jump to main content For decades, there have been military radars on the small mountain top in the Pechenga area. From Iyvara, there is good view over the flat and open landscape that stretches across the Arctic borderland. From the 264 meter high hilltop, Russia's air defence forces look down at the Pasvik River. And far beyond.
On eve of Trump's presidency, Norway signs new space agreement with the US

Jan 20, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Atle Staalesen

The government in Oslo has long worked for the bilateral deal that is to facilitate enhanced space cooperation between the countries. "This is a significant agreement for Norwegian security," says Bjørn Arild Gram, Norway's Defence Minister. "Space activity is becoming more important for defence cooperation, and Andøya is of great value for Norway as well as for our allies," he underlines.
Americans close the door to Russia's biggest lithium mine

Jan 16, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Atle Staalesen

The Kolmozero lithium resources are located in vulnerable Arctic lands in the central parts of the Kola Peninsula. According to Polar Lithium, the developing company that is owned by Nornickel and Rosatom, the resources exceed 75 million tons of ore. It will be the biggest lithium mine in Russia, they say. Together with a Chinese state enterprise, the two Russian companies intend to produce an annual 2 million tons of ore and 45,000 tons of lithium hydroxide and carbonate.
Urgent need for better monitoring of sinking ground across the Arctic says study

Jan 16, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

“Our findings suggest that permafrost landscapes are undergoing geomorphic change that is impacting hydrology, ecosystems, and human infrastructure,” the paper, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, said.