Atle Staalesen

Across bay from main Russian Navy base could come oil terminal

State oil company Rosneft plans to build a terminal for reloading of oil only few kilometres from the Northern Fleet headquarters in Severomorsk
November 27, 2023

Tense at Raja-Jooseppi: Russia sends 55 migrants to Finnish border crossing point

A bus full of migrants is on its way to the only border-crossing point between Russia and Finland still open.
November 24, 2023

Murmansk Governor says migrants are starting to leave border-crossing points to Finland

The erection of new checkpoints in the Kola Peninsula has helped ease the migrant situation, Murmansk Governor Andrei Chibis says. According to the regional leader, migrants without valid documents are now starting to "turn around and leave."
November 23, 2023

Russian Governor: "Humanitarian crisis is unfolding on border to Finland"

In what appears as a well orchestrated hoax, the Governor of Murmansk says about 300 migrants are desperately trying to make it to the border-crossing point of Salla and that Finland is to blame. Mounting indications point at the deliberate staging of the situation by Russian security services.
November 22, 2023

In chilly return to past, Putin names new icebreaker "Stalingrad"

The state leader reportedly approves a proposal to name the super-powerful Arctic vessel after the Communist dictator and mass-murderer.
November 20, 2023

Migrant flow from Russia moves north

Following the announced closure of four border-crossing points in southern Finland, migrants are moving north to crossing points that remain open. Border police in northern Finland and neighbouring Norway is on high alert.
November 17, 2023

Soon compulsory in Russian schools: military theory and drone flying

"The school program always has to meet the challenges of our time," Russian Minister of Enlightenment Sergei Kravtsov says.
November 16, 2023

Finland closes several border-crossing points to Russia

Following a rapid growth in illegal border traffic, the Nordic country closes four of its border-crossing points to Russia. The border-crossing points in the north of the country will remain open for now.
November 16, 2023

Marines from Russia's 'Kirkenes Brigade' praise pensioner who donated 500,000 rubles to new combat gear

In a propaganda video, the retired woman from Murmansk, who allegedly spent all her savings on support to Russian warriors, is presented as role model.
November 15, 2023

Finland suspects Moscow uses migrants to stir trouble on eastern border

Following a sharp increase in illegal border traffic, the Finnish Border Guard Service now prohibits border-crossing with bicycles. Additional measures will be taken if needed, the Finnish Minister of Interior underlines.
November 14, 2023

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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