Researchers struggle to register birds as geopolitics hinder border cooperation.

In this video report, the Barents Observer goes on a boat trip with the Norwegian researchers along the Pasvik River where the border between Arctic Russia and Norway is right in the middle. Researchers, who are here to register bird species, talk about a problem they face – since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they can’t cooperate with their Russian colleagues on the other side of the river. Climate change, pollution, protection of the different species. How is this border area dealing with all the issues? The video is in English with Russian subtitles.

Located in Kirkenes, Norway, just a few kilometres from the borders to Russia and Finland, the Barents Observer is dedicated to cross-border journalism in Scandinavia, Russia and the wider Arctic.

As a non-profit stock company that is fully owned by its reporters, its editorial decisions are free of regional, national or private-sector influence. It has been a partner to ABJ and its predecessors since 2016.