Norwegian police have seized the Russian research vessel *Professor Molchanov* in Svalbard following a request from Ukraine’s Naftohaz. A court authorized the seizure, according to reports in *Aftenposten*. The action stems from property claims related to assets seized after the annexation of Crimea. Details surrounding the specific claims remain limited, but it appears Naftohaz initiated legal proceedings. The vessel was conducting research in the Svalbard archipelago at the time of the seizure. This incident marks a notable escalation in legal challenges concerning assets affected by the Crimean annexation, and its handling will likely draw international attention. Norway maintains a unique governing status for Svalbard, allowing it to exercise jurisdiction while allowing citizens of numerous nations to conduct research there.