Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Assignment

Factual

Investigations and journeys into the heart of global events from BBC correspondents.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Assignment: How a war has changed a Norwegian town

Documentaries

News

How a war has changed a Norwegian town

21/09/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Assignment, How a war has changed a Norwegian town

How once friendly relations between Norway and Russia have frozen in the far north

How once friendly relations between Norway and Russia have frozen in the far north because of a faraway war.

Kirkenes, in the far north-east of Norway, once thrived on its close ties with neighbouring Russia. All that changed after the invasion of Ukraine. Now it’s become home to Ukrainian refugees and a safe haven for some Russian journalists escaping President Putin’s media clampdown.

For decades this area popularised the phrase “High North, Low Tension.” Close economic and cultural ties developed with brisk cross-border trade. Hundreds of Russians settled in the town. But now new cross-border restrictions have been imposed and co-operation has ended. The local economy has taken a significant hit and cross-border cultural groups no longer meet. However, despite this being a NATO member, the Norwegian government is keeping the border open. Russian fishing vessels still unload their catch in Kirkenes but are no longer allowed to undergo repairs. The Norwegians have stepped up checks on these Russian boats amid concern of a rise in Russian spying and potential sabotage.

For Assignment, John Murphy travels to Norway’s Arctic to see how war has changed the town and to ask what’s next for this unique community. 
 
Presenter: John Murphy
Producer: Alex Last
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Series editor: Penny Murphy

(Image: Kirkenes, in the far north-east of Norway. Credit: BBC)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Assignment

How a war has changed a Norwegian town

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service