Russian warship fired warning shot at Norwegian fishing boat
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On the morning of September 12, the small Norwegian fishing boat “MS Ragnhild Kristine” was going to tie up the lines to bring in the night’s catch. The small fishing boat entered the waters where the Russians had a naval exercise. Parts of this exercise took place within the Norwegian economic zone. It was here that the fishing boat was pulling up its equipment, when the Russian destroyer “Admiral Levchenko” chased the fishing boat away by firing warning shots. The warning shots were fired within the Norwegian economic zone. This means that no one can prevent Norwegian fishing boats or others from traveling in the area. It was the Norwegian magazine “Fri Fagbevegelse” that first reported this.
Warning shot a provocation
There are three terms that are important to keep separate. They are:
- International waters: This is in principle a sea area that does not belong to any country. In principle, the Russians can hold exercises in this area. Notice must be given of the exercises and which areas are cordoned off in connection with the exercises.
- Norwegian economic zone: In reality, this is Norwegian waters between Norwegian waters and international waters. Here, Norway owns the resources on the seabed, and Norwegian vessels are free to fish and transport in the area. Russia can hold military exercises in the area, but cannot prevent Norwegian economic activity. It was in this area that the fishing boat “MS Ragnhild Kristine” was located when the warning shot was fired.
- Norwegian waters are the area closer to the mainland where it is not permitted for other powers to have any form of military presence.
Recently, there have been several Russian naval exercises near the coast of Norway. Several of these in the Norwegian economic zone. It is clear that Russia is trying to undermine Norway as a coastal state. However, the firing of warning shots is the first time this has been reported.
One of the world’s largest warship bases
The Russian Northern Fleet is strategically located close to the Norwegian border in the Barents Sea. This is an ocean area in the far north that is very important for many reasons. Climate change means that a large area of the sea is now ice-free, making this area accessible for oil and mineral exploration in a different way than just a few years ago. It’s also a short distance from Russia to North America.
The entire Barents Sea is probably the area in the world with the largest accumulation of nuclear weapons. The Russians have nuclear weapons in large quantities both on their ships and at their base. The USA, too, probably has several submarines in the region with nuclear weapons.
Sources:
Russian warship fires warning shot at Norwegian fishing boat | FriFagbevegelse
Російський есмінець відкрив попереджувальний вогонь по норвезькому судну – Мілітарний (mil.in.ua)