Norwegian military authorities have reported increased Russian intelligence activity on the border with Russia. According to Brigadier General John Olav Fuglem, commander of the Finnmark Brigade, Russian agents have repeatedly infiltrated northern Norway posing as tourists and fishermen.
In an interview with Swedish television channel SVT, Fuglem noted that in recent months there have been cases of Russian citizens arriving at the port of Kirkenes on fishing vessels or as tourists engaging in espionage. “Spies were discovered on fishing vessels arriving in Kirkenes from Russia, and on several occasions, people posing as tourists had completely different plans,” the general said.
Kirkenes, located just a few kilometers from the Russian-Norwegian border, has become a key focus for Norwegian intelligence services. The increase in intelligence activities is linked to the overall rise in tensions in the region following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In response, Norway is significantly strengthening its defenses in the north. The Finnmark Brigade, formed in August 2025, plans to double its personnel to 1,300 soldiers by 2032. In addition, new fences, sensor networks, CCTV cameras, and drone-based surveillance systems are being installed along the 198-kilometer border with Russia. Norwegian forces are actively cooperating with local residents to identify suspicious activity.
Experts note that Russia is using civilian cover — fishing trawlers and tourist trips — to gather intelligence in the Arctic, where Norway plays a key role in NATO.
The Norwegian government emphasizes that such actions pose a threat to national security and calls for vigilance. No official comment has yet been received from the Russian authorities.