After the Russian invasion on Ukraine February 24, 2022 many countries imposed sanctions on Russia and Russian companies. These sanctions were also imposed on the two Russian settlements on Svalbard which is run by the state owned company Arktikugol. From the summer 2022 the sanctions had serious consequences for tourist traffic to Barentsburg and Pyramiden as the cruise ships and tourist operators no longer sent tourists to these settlements.It is believed that the Barentsburg operator ceased their regular transport routes in September 2022.
In March 2023, a new Longyearbyen based local operator was ready just in time for the high season for tourists and researchers. All the main settlements are covered, but also to other seasonal minor settlements further north, populated only by rotating groups of researchers.
