Russia Warns Norway That Relations Are At The Breaking Point

 

TASS: Moscow views Oslo's military preparations as course on escalation in region — diplomat 

Maria Zakharova stressed that such developments was "a deliberate pursuit of a destructive course toward escalation of tensions in the Euro-Arctic region and the final destruction of Russian-Norwegian relations" and this was not Moscow's choice 

MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia perceives Norway's military preparations near its borders as a course on escalation of tensions in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday. 

"Foreign military bases actually appeared in Norway on a permanent basis. The corresponding infrastructure has been modernized, modern equipment is being purchased, and Oslo is now among the most active supporters of NATO's involvement in the Arctic," she said, 

"We consider such developments near Russian borders as Oslo's deliberate pursuit of a destructive course toward escalation of tensions in the Euro-Arctic region and the final destruction of Russian-Norwegian relations."  

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Update #1: Russia Threatens Norway With "Final Destruction" Of Relations (Zero Hedge)  

Update #2: ‘Final Destruction’: Russia Threatens Norway With Ugly Fallout (Daily Beast)  

WNU Editor: The war is continuing to create tensions among Europe and Russia .... Norway puts military on raised alert level in response to Ukraine war (The Guardian). The deployment of US spy planes to Norway (see above video) is not helping the situation.

Norway On Alert After Drone Sightings Near Critical infrastructure And The Arrest Of Russian Nationals

 

Washington Post: Norway on edge over drone sightings, arrest of son of Putin confidante 

BRUSSELS — Norwegian officials warned Thursday that there could be more arrests after at least seven Russians — including the son of a close associate of President Vladimir Putin — were detained in the span of weeks for flying drones or taking pictures near sensitive areas, prompting an investigation by the domestic intelligence service. 

The news comes as Norway and other countries move to secure critical infrastructure in the wake of the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. 

It follows weeks of reports of drone sightings in its vast offshore oil and gas fields, as well as recent sightings at Norwegian airports. 

On Wednesday, Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Store, blamed foreign intelligence — and indirectly pointed a finger a Russia. 

“It is not acceptable that foreign intelligence is flying drones over Norwegian airports. Russians are not allowed to fly drones in Norway,” he said, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.  

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WNU Editor: The new reality in Norway. If you are a Russian national carrying a drone near critical infrastructure, you will be arrested. 

Norway On Alert After Drone Sightings Near Critical infrastructure And The Arrest Of Russian Nationals  

Norway cracks down on drone flights after arrest of seven Russians -- Financial Times 

Norway on alert after drone sightings near key infrastructure -- Euronews  

Four Russians arrested on suspicion of photographing classified object -- The Independent Barents Observer 

4 Russians Arrested in Norway for Breaking Photography Ban -- Moscow Times  

British-Russian son of Putin ally arrested for flying drone in Norway -- The Telegraph  

Norwegian Police detains son of close Putin ally for flying drone at Svalbard -- The Independent Barents Observer 

Norway says 'foreign intelligence' behind drone flights -- News.com.au

Norway Blocks Supplies To Russian Settlements In The Svalbard Islands

RT: Russia warns Norway over conflict in Arctic  

Moscow says the blockade of supplies for miners is “unacceptable”  

Moscow has summoned, on Wednesday, Norway’s charge d’affaires Solveig Rossebo over the “unacceptable” ban on the delivery of supplies to a Russian Arctic mining operation in the Svalbard Islands, the Foreign Ministry has announced. 

Norwegian media outlets had previously cited the authorities as confirming that the Russians on Svalbard were denied an exemption from sanctions that were imposed on Moscow over its conflict with Ukraine.  

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WNU Editor: Svalbard is a group of islands located midway between Norway’s north coast and the North Pole. It is a part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the archipelago’s natural resources under a treaty signed in 1920. A number of the settlements on the archipelago are populated mainly by Russians. 

Norway Blocks Supplies To Russian Settlements In The Svalbard Islands  

Norway did not allow passage of goods to Russian settlements in Svalbard -- TASS  

Russia accuses Norway of Arctic blockade and threatens reprisals -- Euronews/AFP  

Moscow threatens reprisals after accusing Norway of blocking transit to Svalbard -- The Local  

Russia threatens retaliation against Norway over access to Arctic islands -- Reuters  

Russia, Norway holding talks on Spitsbergen cargo dilemma, says diplomat -- TASS  

Russia threatens retaliation over Norway Arctic island goods ban -- Al Jazeera  

Russian senator slams Norway’s blockage of Russian goods to Spitsbergen -- TASS

Norway’s New F-35 Are Scrambled For The First Time To Meet Two Russian Tu-142s With A MiG-31 Fighter Escort

Business Insider: Norwegian F-35 stealth fighters sent out for the first time to intercept Russian sub hunter aircraft

* Two Norwegian F-35A stealth fighters intercepted a pair of Russian anti-submarine warfare aircraft off the coast of Norway over the weekend.
* The stealth fighters relieved a pair of F-16s that initially intercepted the two Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft.
* The intercept marked the F-35s first time participating in a NATO quick alert reaction mission.

Two Norwegian F-35A stealth fighters intercepted a pair of Russian anti-submarine warfare aircraft off the coast of Norway over the weekend in what appears to be the jet's first intercept mission involving a Russian aircraft, according to multiple reports.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF) scrambled F-16s for a quick reaction alert mission as two Russian Tu-142s with a MiG-31 fighter escort approached Norwegian airspace on Saturday. Two F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters were then sent out to provide additional support.

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WNU Editor: One of the Russian crews filmed their mission, including the interception of Norwegian F-35 jets (See above video).

More News On Norway’s New F-35 Being Scrambled For The First Time To Meet Two Russian Tu-142s

Norway’s new F-35 scrambled for first time to meet Russian anti-sub aircraft -- Barents Observer
Norwegian F-35As on QRA At Orland Air Station Carry Out Type’s First Intercept Of Russian Aircraft Off Norway -- The Aviationist
Norway intercepts Russian aircraft with F-35s for first time -- UPI
Norway’s F-35s were scrambled for first time, intercepted Russian anti-sub aircraft -- War is Boring

U.S. Marines Train On The Russian - Norwegian Border

Reuters: On Norway's icy border with Russia, unease over military buildup

SETERMOEN/KIRKENES, Norway (Reuters) - Under a soft winter sun in northern Norway, U.S. Marines train in the ice and snow as they learn how to fight in the freezing cold.

“Which country is to the northeast?” Staff Sergeant Daniel Croak bellows at a group of 20 soldiers in camouflaged combat jackets and white trousers in a pine forest near the town of Setermoen.

“Russia!” they shout back.

The troops are part of a contingent of 650 Marines staging a recent joint military exercise with 3,000 soldiers from NATO-member Norway at a time when both NATO and Russia have increased their military presence in the Arctic.

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WNU Editor:Winter is starting. Better to do it now instead of instead of January when it is really cold.

11 Russian Bombers Flew A Mock Attack On A Norwegian Radar Site In 2018

Map-illustration: Norwegian Intelligence Service

The Barents Observer: 11 Russian fighter jets made mock attack on Norwegian Arctic radar

Flying in attack formation, the group of Su-24 attack aircraft turned away just before Norwegian airspace.

The dramatic simulated attack happend on February 14th, 2018, Director of Norway’s Intelligence Service, Lieutenant General Morten Haga Lunde, told the audience in his annual speech for the Oslo Military Society on Monday.

Haga Lunde had earlier in the day presented Focus 2019 (in Norwegian), the intelligence service’s report on threats and security analyses.

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WNU editor: GPS jamming is the latest point of contention between Russia and Norway .... Angry Norway says Russia jamming GPS signals again (The Local/AFP).

More News On 11 Russian Bombers Flying A Mock Attack On A Norwegian Radar Site In 2018

In Early 2018, 11 Russian Bombers Flew a Mock Attack on a Norwegian Radar Site -- National Interest
Nearly a Dozen Russian Jets Practiced an Attack on a Norwegian Radar Base -- Popular Mechanics
Norwegian Lt General Alleges Russia Conducted 'Mock Air Raid' on Arctic Radar -- Sputnik

Russia Warns Norway Of Consequences While They Request More U.S. Marines

Marines discuss the best avenue of approach to maintain cover and concealment during training at Vaernes Garrison, Norway, April 6, 2018. Norway is planning to ask the United States for more Marines on regular rotations. Clinton Firstbrook/U.S. MARINE CORPS

Marine Times: Russia argues the Marine Corps’ beefed-up presence in Norway is an attack

Russia just can’t let it go that Norway recently decided to invite several hundred more Marines to the region for cold-weather training.

Last week, the Russian Embassy in Norway warned of consequences and on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed the Corps’ presence in the Arctic country may, in fact, be an attack.

Norway recently agreed to boost the number of Marines in the country from 330 to 700 and opened a second training area closer to the Russian border in the Troms region.

Russia’s argues Oslo’s decision is in violation of agreements the Scandinavian country made when it joined NATO in 1949. Norway agreed not to base permanent foreign forces in the country unless threatened or attacked.

“But what attack is it possible to talk about today? As is known, top-level Norwegian officials have repeatedly noted that Russia presents no threat,” Zakharova said. “Considering the fact that US Marines are deployed in Norway, perhaps it is the United States that has attacked this country?”

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More News On Russia Warning Norway Of Consequences If They Request More U.S. Marines

Russia tells Norway its plan to increase U.S. Marines undermines trust -- Reuters
Russia vows consequences after Norway invites more U.S. Marines -- Reuters
Russia warns Norway of ‘consequences’ after it invites in more US Marines -- The Independent
Norway wants hundreds more US Marines, and it wants them closer to Russia -- Stars and Stripes
The U.S. Marines Are Set to Train Right Near Russia's Border -- National Interest/Task & Purpose
'Occupation': How Norway Was Scaremongered Into Doubling US Military Presence -- Sputnik
'Unwise': Criticism Erupts as Norway Welcomes More US Troops, Aircraft -- Sputnik

Do The Norwegians Understand Putin?

Jacqueline Klimas, Washington Examiner: Why the U.S. is turning to Norway when it wants to understand Putin

BODO, Norway — Sitting between Russian's aggressive behavior and NATO's attempt to rein it in is Norway, a key U.S. ally that often serves as a bridge between the two groups.

Because of the close relationship that has developed, Norway can provide a window into Russia's motivations and world view that is "worth gold" to the U.S. as it tries to understand the nuances of Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

"They are a bridge in a lot of ways and they help explain their view," the official said.

Norway shares a land and sea border with Russia, which has forced the two countries over hundreds of years to form a working partnership, including some exercises together before Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Following Russia's land grab in Ukraine, Norway cut off most military cooperation, but still maintains a relationship in areas such as border security and search and rescue at sea.

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WNU Editor: Norway - Russia relations have always been surprisingly good. A friend of mine was posted at the Russian embassy at Oslo about two decades ago .... he found it to be the most enjoyable posting of his career .... and today .... he now lives there as a Norwegian citizen.