KAPITAN SOKOLOV

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Norwegian sanctions vessels of Russian oligarch with links to Putin

The 'Kapitan Sokolov' is among the sanctioned fishing vessels of the Russian commercial fleet, being suspected of involvement in subsea surveillance activity in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, a continuation of a long tradition of spy trawlers dating back to Soviet days. Given current tensions over the ongoing war in Ukraine, European and Scandinavian leaders now are treating these vessels with suspicion. In May 2025, the European Union sanctioned two Russian fishery companies, the Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood, alleging that they were playing a role in a state-sponsored surveillance and intelligence campaign aimed at Europe's critical underwater infrastructure, including "activities that can facilitate future sabotage operations. Two months later, Norway's government has decided to follow the EU's lead, and it listed both companies, stating on Juily 2025, that such activity may facilitate future sabotage operations and threaten important Norwegian security policy interests The listing denies port access to vessels operated by Norebo and Murman, which together account for most of the Russian fishing fleet in the region. It also prohibits them from holding fishing licenses in the Norwegian EEZ. Norebo, which is owned by a Russian oligarch who has personal and political ties to Vladimir Putin, has protested the decision, saying that the EU and Norwegian allegations were false. On July 29, Russia's foreign ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador and formally protested the "illegal restrictive measures" imposed. The letter of protest noted that Norway have a bilateral fishery treaty, active since 1976, that guarantees joint management of fish stocks in the Barents and Norwegian Seas. It warns that sanctions on Norebo and Murman could scuttle that longstanding deal.