Norwegian law enforcement officials have made no contact with members of the expedition aboard the Professor Molchanov ship in Svalbard. ^[1] Maria Zakharova, the official representative of Russia's Foreign Ministry, told TASS at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok that Norway's seizure of the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov was 'real piracy' and that the seizure term, rather than 'detention', was appropriate. ^[2] A TASS correspondent who is among the expedition's members reported that the crew learned about the seizure on September 2 from media reports. ^[3] The vessel is prohibited from leaving its current location pending a relevant decision by the governor of Svalbard. ^[4] The vessel was seized as an interim measure related to the enforcement of an arbitral award concerning Naftogaz assets in Crimea. ^[5] In the same interview, Zakharova said the West has 'simply lifted the veil from piracy,' implying that Western countries have legalized or normalized actions like Norway's seizure of the Russian ship. ^[6] Norwegian authorities arrested the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov following a claim by Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz. ^[7] Zakharova promised that Russia would never abandon its citizens, saying its diplomacy always comes to the aid of Russians in difficult situations, whether they are journalists, sailors, tourists, businessmen, or ordinary people. ^[8]