One of the last Russian general consulates in Northern Europe feel sorry for themselves.

This is definitely the speech of a man who needed to pass 3 separate cognitive tests in the same year. #Davos26

OTD in 2022 my parody embassy informed you that Russia has no plans to "attack" Ukraine. Which was sort of true. We had a plan. It was just really shit.

There could be Western fighter planes helping to protect millions of Ukrainian civilians from Russia's terror campaign to cut the supply of electricity, heating, and water during this exceptionally cold winter. But there aren't.

Very good piece from @kariagam.bsky.social 👇 Here you can read in detail how #Russia uses imperial tactics to weaken Western resolve, in the Russian border state of #Norway. "To counter Russian manipulation, we need increased public awareness, including among the Russian diaspora in Norway..."

Since 2022, Russian tactics of influence in Norway have taken on more provocative forms, while also increasingly operating in the grey zone, becoming more covert and harder to identify and attribute. Opinion piece by professor @kariagam.bsky.social with @uitnorgesarktiske.bsky.social

The Barents Observer in 2025: A year of censorship and repression. And victory against the Russian state

Not sure I understand why the Trump administration cares about Christians in Nigeria and not Christians in Ukraine

OTD in 1991 the soviet union collapsed. Its creation was a great catastrophe as millions of citizens suddenly found themselves involuntarily living in Russia.

You'd think the fact that the Russian constitution already says invading countries is illegal would mean we have no need to sign yet another treaty promising we won't invade countries. But you would be wrong.

Meanwhile in Russia: State surveillance app Max is coercively implemented throughout universities, while WhatsApp, Telegram and other services are blocked. ru.thebarentsobserver.com/studentov-v-...

Russia violates: UN Charter Nuclear NPT Helsinki Accords Belovezha Accords Paris Charter Budapest Memo Black Sea Fleet Treaty Ukr-Ru Friendship Treaty Treaty on Azov Sea & Kerch Strait Karkiv pact Etc But Russia we will sign a legal document that we won't attack EU...

Researchers Kari Aga Myklebost and Stian Bones, in collaboration with editor of The Barents Observer, Thomas Nilsen, have analyzed how Russia operates in relation to Svalbard. www.tv2.no/nyheter/adva... @thomasnilsen.bsky.social @stianbones.bsky.social @kariagam.bsky.social

"Russland forsøker å få med seg Trump-administrasjonen i retning av å lette på sanksjonene og åpne opp for økonomisk samarbeid i Arktis. Vi må snakke og skrive om det Russland gjør. Det i seg selv er en måte å avkle de russiske handlingsmønstrene." @kariagam.bsky.social @thomasnilsen.bsky.social

Who chose Steve Witkoff? Putin www.wsj.com/world/putin-...

Armed mercenaries tied to Russia’s FSB and formerly linked to Wagner are now guarding Russian shadow fleet tankers. Hired through Moran Security, they wear camo, isolate themselves from crews, and often override foreign captains. Danish pilots say they act as the real authority on board

Disquieting paper from the 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘺𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴, Helsinki/FIN,⁣ on #Russia operations to destabilize #Svalbard & threatening all #Arctic, Dec 2025. By @kariagam.bsky.social, @stianbones.bsky.social (both UiT #Tromsø) & @thomasnilsen.bsky.social (ed. @thebarentsobserver.com):

Kari Aga Myklebost, Havard Baekken, Stian Bones (eds.) The Politics of World War II Memories in the North: Regional and Transborder Memory Politics in Russia and Norway // JSPPS 11, no. 2 (2025). Open Access: www.ibidem.eu/en/Topics/So...

OTD in 2021 Russian MFA denied any preparations against Ukraine or aggressive intentions. She was half right. We weren’t prepared.

#Svalbard is Norwegian territory & #NATO land. But bc of its special status, it is one of the most likely targets when Putin decides to escalate his war on #Europe further. #Russia #Ukraine @kariagam.bsky.social @thomasnilsen.bsky.social

New paper about Russian subversive activities on Svalbard after 2014 is published by the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE). Written by the two UiT professors @kariagam.bsky.social & @stianbones.bsky.social and Barents Observer editor @thomasnilsen.bsky.social

This new Hybrid CoE paper is a must-read for anyone interested in Svalbard and Russia’s hybrid activities on this strategically important Norwegian Arctic archipelago. 📝 @thomasnilsen.bsky.social @kariagam.bsky.social & @stianbones.bsky.social

Our paper about Russian subversive activities on Svalbard after 2014 is today published by the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE): Download, read and repost 🙌.

A grim example of how 🇷🇺 deliberately blurs out the distance between WWII and today's bestial war. Unveiled in Severomorsk on Tuesday, the monument to warriors fighting in 🇺🇦 partly include WWII uniforms, a Soviet flag and looks similar to those commemorating the Red Army's victory and sacrifice.

Anti-drone nets installed at Russian nuclear test site on Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, @thebarentsobserver.com reports Satellite images taken Aug. 14 show three rows of fuel tanks covered with blue metal nets known as “cope cages.”

At long last they’re getting there. Like in Finland during March of 1940 and then again in the summer of 1944. It’s a myth that Russia never gives up. They gave up in Finland, Afghanistan and Syria. Nothing like getting out of a futile and costly war you can just walk away from any day you want.

Kyiv region

On Lawfare Daily, @lapatina.bsky.social sat down with Minna Ålander and Mykhailo Soldatenko to discuss Russia’s recent air incursions into Poland and Estonia and whether NATO’s response to it has been proportional. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lawf...

Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it™️

Folkeopplysning fra Johanne Kalsaas ved Universitetet i Bergen om russiske «nett-krigere». www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kro...

Wrong again. You are witnessing Norway’s contribution to the defense of Ukraine’s freedom & independence as a sovereign democratic state, which Russia has unlawfully attacked for more than 11 years. Ukraine will never be russia #StandWithUkraine

Putin has remade the Russian political system in his image. What happens when he is no longer in power?

The SCO’s coming of age: China stakes claim to a central role in a new global order Twenty years ago, the SCO could have been dismissed as a marginal regional forum. Now, it is a stage to show off Beijing's vision of global governance.

"By refusing to speak on the record with a free Norwegian media censored by Russia, Muratov is actually bringing Russian censorship to Norway."

Xi and Putin: World War II History as Geopolitical Power. Opinion piece by @kariagam.bsky.social & @marclanteigne.bsky.social - both professors with @uitnorgesarktiske.bsky.social www.thebarentsobserver.com/opinion/xi-a...

www.dagsavisen.no/debatt/derfo... A new commentary with @kariagam.bsky.social about how the leaders of China and Russia are seeking to rewrite World War II history for modern-day strategic goals. @uitnorgesarktiske.bsky.social

Moscow's man in Barentsburg is again testing grey-zones in Norway's Svalbard regulations. This time by unveiling a vehicle that is almost identical to police cars in Russia. "Aimed at provoking reactions," says professor @kariagam.bsky.social with @uitnorgesarktiske.bsky.social.

Donald's "disappointment with Putin" manifests...

Children as young as seven are now being forced to join Vladimir Putin’s dystopian drone war.

Russia's recent attacks on Kyiv and many other Ukrainian cities are a deliberate escalation. They undermine efforts toward peace. We will increase our support to Ukraine, including by accelerating work on the 19th package of sanctions. My statement endorsed by 26 Member States europa.eu/!7X4Wm9

Security is top priority in Oslo's new High North strategy. Nevertheless, Lavrov's diplomats are still allowed to conspire across Northern Norway

Three Tu-95MS bombers from the Olenya air base in Murmansk region took part in the massive overnight strikes against Kyiv. Missiles damaged both the EU Delegation's office and the building of the British Council.

“The only difference between terrorists and Russia is that the first ones take responsibility for what they have done, while Russia does not have the courage to do so and has the audacity to blame others for its crimes.“ On last night’s mass attack. www.thebarentsobserver.com/security/rus...

Today marks three and a half years of Russia’s full-scale invasion — and 34 years of Ukrainian independence. This anniversary is more than a date in history. It is a powerful reminder of Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit and determination to be free and sovereign.

In return, our members get access to exclusive newsletters, events, direct communication with our staff, and many more benefits. Join our community today: kyivindependent.com/membership/?...

It's the National Flag day today. The most touching photos of the Ukrainian flag are coming from the liberated territories. It brings back not only Ukraine's lawful control, but the celebration, hope and restoring of people's rights. This is Kherson in Nov 2022. Some want to gift it to russia.

Thank you for support, Alaska! 🇺🇦🇺🇸 📹- karilogue /Threads

Russia's Northern Fleet Commander Konstantin Kabantsov has organised a 'military-historical conference' about the 1939-1940 Winter War and "lessons that can be drawn in the context of the current military-political situation"

The speculation was: UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Switzerland, or the Vatican The reality is: USA Wasn't expecting that. Trump-Putin summit in Alaska next Friday.

President Trump said that a deal between #Ukraine and Russia can involve "Swapping of territories to the betterment of both" What does that mean?