Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian Northern Fleet conducts live artillery firing a few nautical miles from Norway in the Varangerfjord.
On 17 and 18 February 2026, the Russian Northern Fleet conducted naval artillery firing in the Varangerfjord, in a zone that at its closest lay 3–4 nautical miles from Norwegian territorial waters, The Barents Observer reported. Russia also closed waters along the Kola coast, from the Rybachy Peninsula to north-east of Kildin Island, from 17 to 22 February. A spokesperson for Norway’s Joint Headquarters said the activity was being monitored and was “expected, and normal activity” as long as it took place in international or Russian waters. Kristian Åtland of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment assessed that the location was “clearly not incidental” and fitted a pattern of strategic signalling towards Norway and NATO.
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On 17 and 18 February 2026, the Russian Northern Fleet conducted naval artillery firing in the Varangerfjord, in a zone that at its closest lay 3–4 nautical miles from Norwegian territorial waters, The Barents Observer reported. Russia also closed waters along the Kola coast, from the Rybachy Peninsula to north-east of Kildin Island, from 17 to 22 February. A spokesperson for Norway’s Joint Headquarters said the activity was being monitored and was “expected, and normal activity” as long as it took place in international or Russian waters. Kristian Åtland of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment assessed that the location was “clearly not incidental” and fitted a pattern of strategic signalling towards Norway and NATO.