Russian research vessel detained in Denmark
The case is being updated.
The Danish TV channel TV Nord reported on Thursday evening that a Russian naval vessel had arrived in Skagen where the research vessel is located. But it rejects the Danish defense, reports Jyllands-Posten, although the naval vessel can be seen on the ship monitoring service Maritime traffic.
– It is not a warship, says the defense’s press adviser Christer Haven to Jyllands-Posten.
– It is true that you can see a warship on Marinetraffic, but it is not something, he continues.
Seized documents
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen writes on Facebook that the research vessel Akademik Ioffe was detained when it docked in Skagen to refuel on Monday.
Danish authorities must have seized documents on board, according to Danish media
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs the news agency Ritzau that they are familiar with the case and that they are in contact with the Russian embassy.
Request from a third party
According to the Russian state news agency, Ria Akademik Ioffe has a crew of 61 people. According to the Russian embassy, the ship conducts research for the Russian Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, writes Reuters.
The detention must have taken place at the request of a third party in relation to the ship’s previous activities.
For the past six months, Norwegian security personnel have been following the movement of Russian vessels.
– I want to call them spy ships, said researcher and teacher Ståle Ulriksen at the Norwegian Defense College / Naval War College to Dagens Næringsliv last week.
(© NTB)