Oslo: A group of 69 passengers and crew members from the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov, which was seized by Norway in Svalbard last week, has crossed the Russian-Norwegian border and is en route to Murmansk, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Russian citizens were evacuated from the Svalbard archipelago with support from Norwegian authorities and coordinated efforts involving the Russian state-owned Arcticugol company, Russia's Embassy in Oslo, and its consulates in Svalbard and Kirkenes, as stated by Zakharova.

The incident began on September 2 when the Professor Molchanov was seized in Svalbard following a request from Ukrainian companies. A Norwegian court ordered the seizure as part of an interim measure related to an arbitration award concerning Ukrainian company Naftogaz's assets in Crimea, as explained by the governor of Svalbard. Despite the passengers' evacuation, the vessel remains in Svalbard awaiting further legal proceedings.

Zakharova emphasized that during the evacuation, the Russian citizens received the necessary assistance and support. Once they crossed the border, authorities in the Murmansk region undertook arrangements for their continued travel to Murmansk.