Life in a Russian Mining Town near the North Pole

Hey everyone! Two things, firstly, we would love to know, have you heard of Barentsburg before? 🤔
And secondly (our favourite question), where are you watching from? 😍❤

🤍😇

How fascinating – would have loved to hear from Natasha what she is doing there work-wise etc – thanks for taking us along on your adventures

Easy on the Russian propaganda, kids. I know of no Norwegian who looked up to the Soviet Union in the 80s (ca 20 years after the oil was found) or in the 50s (before oil was found). There were people charmed by Soviet propaganda soon after the Russian Revolution. I would also like to point out – most of the workers in Barentsburg came from Ukraine, not Russia.

Everyone knew that the Soviet settlements were never running a profit – they were however strategic settlements during the Cold War.

The simple fact is that Russians on Svalbard have turned into a headache for Norway under Putin (their consul general is for example a known Russian GRU agent). Fibre optical cables to Svalbard were recently cut (Russian agencies being likely per trend). (A Russian ship was observed crossing the cable more than 140 times before it broke, but the laws protecting open-ocean cables are from the 19th century thus no charges were pursued). Russians regularly test hypersonic missiles both south of Bjørnøya and between Bjørnøya and Svalbard, something Russia or the Soviet Union never did out of respect before.

Russia recently claimed that Norway was blocking supplies to the Russian settlements on Svalbard, by creating a propaganda stunt where they pretended to need to drive the supplies across the border to Norwegian harbour towns. This was of course denied since neither Russia nor the former Soviet Union used Norwegian harbours to supply these settlements.

As a Norwegian who used to work with Russians (in Science) – today Russia is nothing but a totalitarian fascist regime that at the moment does little but troll (protected by the Svalbard Treaty) (and the scientists I worked with have left the place safely). The Soviet Union was generally a WAY more likeable regime than today's Russia.

Today, Russians at Svalbard do not even fly the Norwegian courtesy flag (as boats all over the world do when sailing in foreign territory). The Kremlin is treating it more and more as a contested piece of land – pretty much as they pretend Ukraine is.

Putin lovers can take their sorry asses home and recruit themselves to combat "humanitarian work" since they are not welcomed anywhere in the free world (that Svalbard happens to be a part of despite Russian propaganda saying otherwise.

This placed used to be interesting and wonderful – now it is nothing more than an extension of the Russian FSB secret service.

As such, Norway is an interesting place since no other nation has that shit happening on their territory.

If you really want to know how "cute" Russia is – check out why the Arctic Council is currently suspended by 8 of the 9 nations in the world with land areas in the Arctic.

* "The Russian deputy prime minister in charge of Far Eastern and Arctic affairs on the 13th of February 2004 sent a thinly veiled threat to Norway for its management of the Svalbard archipelago.

* “None of the rights and benefits acquired by Russia can be reduced or infringed. We do not have the right to move even a single step backwards,” he underlined in an opening remark. Concerning the war in Ukraine, he added that “warriors are today spilling blood for the sovereignty of our country and the rights of people to speak the Russian language.” As if comparing the situation in Svalbard with Eastern Ukraine, the deputy PM argued that it is all a question of ‘sovereignty.’ “I think that we should address the work here in Government the same way, that the work here (Svalbard) is also a fight for our sovereignty, a fight for the rights of Russia and Russians,” he told the Commission members.

* In May 2023, Neverov and his Arktikugol together with the local Russian General Consulate, organised militaristic parades in the settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden. In Pyramiden, the parade included a tractor and excavator decorated with the flag of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic.

These are all official Russian statements concerning Norwegian sovereignty. Svalbard (aka Norway) is included in Russia's neo-imperical strategy of violent expansion by war.

You have got to see it in the winter…it’s truly a sight to behold. I’ve been there numerous times and it’s possibly my favorite place on Svalbard. And I see you met Wolfgang…he’s a mainstay there and a lot of fun

Thank for touring Barentsburg. Very interesting. Great views.

how can you send the money to russia if they dont use any foreign bank? and how Norweigen didnt close that mine as part of the sanctions to russia?

Julia, are you a fan of the music of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, a Russian from Krasnoyarsk who was almost certainly the greatest baritone in the world. When he died (far too young) of cancer in 2017, he left a treasure trove of recordings and videotapes of his performances. Although he was best known outside of Russia for his work in opera, I prefer his recordings of Russian folk songs and song of war (specifically, his recordings of "Cranes" and of "The Nightingale"). Russian music reaches deep into my soul, and I am so grateful that the work of this great artist remains for us to savor.

compared to new zealand thats paradise

I am a longtime @Matt and Julia (YouTube) follower from Portland, Oregon USA. Through at least one YouTube video about Barentsburg on the channel of Cecilia, a Swede living in Longyearbyen, I am somewhat familiar with that town. Your scenes of Barentsburg show what appears to be (from the symbol above it) a Russian Orthodox Church. I assume it must be from pre- or post-Soviet times. Did you visit that building? Could you tell (or show) us anything about it? Thank you.

Thank you, this was very interesting. I didn´t know it exist, and I´m living in Sweden.

У меня друг здесь работал неколько лет назад дизайнером. Там был всеми любимый белый мм
медведь. Передайте ему привет если еще жив

Oh not so far from Gatwick !

Best television ever! What a place, what a video. Thank you! Greetings from Denmark 🙏

best welcome thousand like and wonderful love……… Russia….. O.Sadharan. Russia modelling best….. O.Sadharan wonderful scenery……. 🇧🇩🇧🇩💜💜💜💜💜♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💙💙💙💙💙💖💖💖💖❤️❤️❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

29:18 Мне показалось, или у Юлии акцент появился. 🙂

Funding the Putin war effect

Makes me shiver jut to think of being there 😒 highly enjoyable and interesting video though. Keep safe guys, you're an asset to the World 😊👍❤️❤️

Amazing video. You are fantastic.🪻💕🍀

Are you going to visit Brazil some day?

PLEEEEEASE tell me yall got a chance to hang out with Cecilia, Kristofer and Grimm! Along with you guys they are some of my favorite youtubers and you are on their island! It’s cool seeing you talk about places they have previously taken us! It’s so cool to hear your take on these places!

Another amazing experience!!