In the sea areas off the Kola Peninsula in the Barents Sea, the Russians have had the brunt of their naval and air military training activities ever since the Cold War. But chief researcher at the Norwegian Defense Research Institute (FFI), Kristian Åtland, says that in recent years shooting exercises have also been seen further south along the Norwegian coast. He believes that some of the exercises are set up to disrupt NATO exercises. Kristian Åtland, researcher at FFI. Photo: Defense Research Institute – Why do they do it? – They want to communicate Russia’s dissatisfaction with Nato practicing in the north and Nato practicing in areas relatively close to their main bases on the Kola Peninsula, says Åtland. He has collaborated with the editor of Barents Observer, Thomas Nilsen, and professor at Nord University, Torbjørn Pedersen. They have studied Russian messages to air traffic and shipping in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea from 2015 to 2021. The Russian missile cruiser “Marshalk Ustinov” photographed by a Norwegian surveillance plane in January this year. Photo: 333 Skavdron / The Defense Forces / 333 Skavdrone / The Defense Forces Forced to fish elsewhere In order to secure the areas where rockets and missiles can hit, the safety zones are large. Several exercises in the Norwegian economic and international zone therefore also lead to major challenges for the Norwegian fishing fleet. Sometimes the fishing industry has to take up gear that they have out, and often at short notice. – When Russia closes airspace and large sea areas for longer periods, it means that the fishermen have to sail around these large areas. This can lead to large extra expenses, says Kristian Åtland. Trawling in the Barents Sea. Photo: Odd Kristian Dahle / Fishing Boat – Increasing problem Information manager Odd Kristian Dahle in the organization Fishing Boat, feels that this has become a growing problem in recent years, especially in large parts of the Barents Sea. Odd Kristian Dahle in the organization Fishing Boat. Photo: CF Wesenberg / CF Wesenberg Large areas are seized in a short time, which is not fortunate for the fishing industry. They want to be notified further in advance. – This means that you have to go to other places to fish, and it is problematic when the fish are in these areas, exactly at this time, says Dahle. – This presents major challenges for the Norwegian fishing fleet. Both in practical terms – because you have to get out of these areas, but also financially because you miss out on important fisheries during a period when the fish are in these areas, says Dahle. – When a skipper receives a message about a closed area, you simply have to get out of it, preferably at very short notice. Because it is dangerous to stay in that area, he says. Several exercises in the Norwegian economic and international zone lead to major challenges for the Norwegian fishing fleet. Photo: Odd Kristian Dahle / Fiskebåt Lay huge firing range outside Western Norway During the large NATO exercise in November 2018, Trident Juncture, the Russians laid a very large firing range in the middle of the training area. The area Russia announced it would use for firing exercises is as large as the whole of Troms and Finnmark combined. – It is a huge area, especially considering that no missiles were fired anyway. It clearly shows that this was politically motivated. The NATO exercise was carried out as planned. A decision was made by the rehearsal management that they carried out what they had planned to carry out. Around 25 vessels in formation during Trident Juncture Trident Juncture 2018. Photo: Christian Valverde / Norwegian Defense – Legal, but unfortunate As long as the exercises take place more than 12 nautical miles from the coast, these are international waters, where Russia is allowed to practice and to conduct sniping. – But it is unfortunate, because it increases the risk of incidents and episodes that can be dangerous. At the same time, this is now part of Russia’s practice pattern and part of the new normal in the northern regions. According to researcher Åtland, the Norwegian navy holds its firing exercises in or near Norwegian territorial waters. Typically in the Norwegian economic zone, outside Western Norway or Northern Norway. – It would be quite unthinkable for us to carry out a sniping off the coast of the Kola Peninsula, for example, says Åtland. The battlecruiser “Pjotr Velikij” (Peter the Great) is one of the world’s largest warships. Here off the Norwegian coast in March this year. Photo: 333 squadron / The armed forces – Don’t let us be intimidated Kristian Åtland believes it is important that we not be intimidated by the Russian exercise activity, but continue to practice in the north – also together with our allies. news has been in contact with the Russian embassy, which will not be interviewed. But the embassy writes in an email that “Russian defense forces are taking all necessary measures to ensure the country’s security. Everything that is done in the Arctic region, just like in any region of Russia, aims only at this”. And the embassy further writes: “Russia does not threaten anyone, but secures itself the necessary defense possibilities with regard to the military-political situation that is forming along the country’s borders”. “When it comes to statements that Russia is increasing military activity in the north, the Russian side has stated several times that it sees no issues that need a military solution in the Arctic, no topics that need attention from NATO – unfortunately such ideas are mentioned regularly”.
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Russian military activity leads to major challenges, believes Kristian Åtland – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
