Atle Staalesen

Guards on alert at Norway's future Arctic drone base

The Norwegian government allocates additional funding for security at Andøya, the Arctic air base that soon will house long-range drones.
May 14, 2024

The soldiers of Pechenga are fighting in Ukraine. Only kids were left marching in this year's 'victory parade'

The Russian far northern border municipality is heavily militarised. But this year, there were only school kids taking part in the local military parade.
May 10, 2024

Wagner Group waved the flag on Victory Day in Murmansk

Masked men in military uniforms waved the Wagner flag during the 9th of May parade in Murmansk
May 10, 2024

"We must never take our freedom for granted"

The Mayor of the Norwegian border town located few kilometers from Russia highlighted unity against totalitarianism and fight for freedom in his speech on Liberation and Veterans Day.
May 08, 2024

Norwegian oilmen prepare for far northern drilling at disputed Wisting field

As sea-ice in the northern parts of the Barents Sea retreats, the Norwegian oil company AkerBP sends a drilling rig to 73° North.
May 08, 2024

Swedish developer GRANGEX buys iron ore mine on Norway's border to Russia

The exit of Russian ore from the European market spurs a growing demand for companies such as Sydvaranger, GRANGEX leader Christer Lindquist argues. His company now takes over of the Norwegian mines located only few hundred meters from Russia.
May 06, 2024

New U.S sanctions take aim at Russian Arctic shipping

Companies and ships engaged in supplies of components to Novatek's project Arctic LNG 2 are added to the U.S sanctions list.
May 02, 2024

World's most powerful diesel-engine icebreaker makes maiden voyage in Arctic ice

The Viktor Chernomyrdin for the first time sails into the thick sea-ice of the Yenisey Bay.
May 02, 2024

New militant youth organisation opens center in Murmansk

The VOIN ("Soldier") training center will prepare Russian teenagers for service in the Armed Forces.
May 02, 2024

Nordic defence ministers highlight readiness for joint action

Although all members of NATO, the five Nordic countries will continue to strengthen their joint NORDEFCO military cooperation.
April 30, 2024

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Atle is journalist and Publisher of the Independent Barents Observer.

In 2002, he founded the Barents Observer. He was editor until 2009 and later worked as journalist and project coordinator for several European cross-border cooperation projects. In late 2015, following a conflict over editorial rights, he re-established the Barents Observer as an independent and non-profit stock company along with the rest of the newspaper crew.  

Atle has a degree in Russian studies from the University of Oslo and studied journalism at the Moscow State University.

atle@thebarentsobserver.com
@atlestaalesen