🎙 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the evacuation of passengers and crew of the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov from the Spitsbergen archipelago (September 8, 2026) 💬 On September 8, a group of passengers and crew members (69 people in total) from the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, arrested on September 2 in Spitsbergen at the request of Ukrainian companies, crossed the Russia-Norway border and is now en route to Murmansk. The Russian nationals were evacuated with assistance from the Norwegian authorities through close coordination between State Trust Arktikugol, Embassy of Russia in Oslo and the Russian Consulates General in Spitsbergen and Kirkenes. ☝️ The Russian nationals have received the necessary assistance and support. Following their border crossing, the Murmansk regional authorities are helping arrange their onward journey to Murmansk.