Russian shootings off the coast of Norway are a growing problem
Russia wants to "intimidate" the Norwegian authorities with naval exercises literally "along the Norwegian coast" and "disrupt NATO exercises," NRK reports. It is noteworthy that they take place in international waters at a distance of over 12 nautical miles from Norway.
Kjartan Rørslett, Heather Ørbeck Eliassen
In recent years, Russia has become more frequent with announcements of exercises and shootings off the coast of Norway. Three researchers believe that this is done in order to intimidate the Norwegian authorities and disrupt joint exercises with Oslo allies.
Most naval and air exercises in the waters of the Barents Sea near the Kola Peninsula have been conducted by Russians since the Cold War.
But the chief researcher of the Norwegian Institute of Defense Studies, Kristian Åtland, notes that in recent years, shootings have been carried out further south, along the Norwegian coast. He believes that this is being done in order to disrupt NATO exercises.
— What is the purpose behind this?
— They want to make it clear that Russia is unhappy with NATO's actions in the North — especially in areas close to their main bases on the Kola Peninsula.
Otland, Thomas Nilsen, editor of The Barents Observer, and Torbjørn Pedersen, professor at the Nordic University, together studied Russian messages to dispatchers regarding flights and shipping in the Barents and Norwegian Seas from 2015 to 2021.
We have to "reel in the rods"
In order to secure areas where missiles can hit during firing, a large security zone is being established.
Therefore, frequent exercises in the Norwegian economic and international zone create serious inconveniences for the fishing fleet. Sometimes fishermen even have to fold the gear in the shortest possible time.
"When Russia closes its airspace and large water areas for a long time, fishermen have to bypass them. And this leads to large additional costs," explains Christian Otland.
The problem has escalated
The public relations representative of the fishing association Odd Christian Dahle believes that in recent years this problem has worsened — especially in the Barents Sea.
Large water areas are being closed urgently — and it is inconvenient for fishermen. They would prefer to be notified in advance.
"In this case, they have to go to other places, and if the fish is not there at all at this time, then it is very difficult," explains Dale. — This creates serious problems for the Norwegian fishing fleet. Moreover, both from a practical point of view, because fishermen need to leave the designated areas in time, and from an economic point of view, because they lose their catch right during Putin."
"When the skipper receives a message about the closure of the zone, it should be left as soon as possible, the better. Because it's dangerous to stay in this area," he explains.
A huge landfill off the coast of western Norway
During the major NATO exercises in November 2018, Trident Juncture ("Single Trident"), the Russians claimed a huge territory for shooting, equal in area to the provinces of Troms and Finnmark combined.
"This is a huge territory, especially considering that no missiles were launched in the end. This is a sure sign that this was done for political reasons," says Otlann.
The NATO exercises went according to plan. The command decided that all the planned events would take place as expected.
Legal, but regrettable
Since the exercises take place in international waters at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the coast, Russia has the right and is free to fire.
— But this is unfortunate, because the risk of incidents and dangerous episodes increases. On the other hand, for some time now, the Russians have been working in this way. We can say that this is the new norm in the North.
Otland stressed that the Norwegian Navy conducts firing and exercises in or near its territorial waters — and usually in the Norwegian economic zone, off the western or northern coast.
— It is absolutely unthinkable for us to conduct shooting, for example, off the coast of the Kola Peninsula.
Don't let yourself be intimidated
Otlann believes that it is impossible to succumb to Russian intimidation. It is necessary to continue the exercises in the North, including with our allies, he is convinced.
We contacted the Russian Embassy of Russia, but we were refused an interview. However, in an email, the embassy noted the following: "The Russian forces are taking all necessary measures to ensure the security of the country. Everything that is being done in the Arctic, as in any region of Russia, is aimed solely at this."
Further, the Embassy stressed: "Russia does not threaten anyone, but provides itself with the necessary defensive capabilities, taking into account the military-political situation that has developed near our borders. As for the statements that Russia is increasing military activity in the North, the Russian side has repeatedly stated that it does not see any problems in the Arctic that require a military solution or topics that require NATO's attention — however, unfortunately, these ideas are heard regularly."
