01:26Russia: Sun sets on 'Arctic Sunrise' after coastguard threatens to open fire
Russia: Sun sets on 'Arctic Sunrise' after coastguard threatens to open fire
The Russian Coast Guard threated to fire on a Greenpeace vessel protesting Exxon Mobil Corporation and Rosneft drilling in the Arctic, and turned the ship around in waters north of Siberia. The Greenpeace ship, "Arctic Sunrise" decided to leave the frigid waters of the Kara Sea and the Northern Sea Route (NSR) following warnings from the Russian Coast Guard. After boarding the "Arctic Sunrise," the Coast Guard repeated its claim that the ship entered the NSR illegally and warned the ship it would use force if necessary, including opening fire on the ship, if the "Arctic Sunrise" would not leave.
Campaigners have been warning of high risks of oil blowouts and spills in this pristine and hard-to-reach area. A Greenpeace campaigner said, "We believe that Arctic oil drilling should never happen, it shouldn't happen here in Kara sea, it shouldn't happen anywhere in the Arctic, because it's too dangerous for the climate and for the Arctic environment".
In a final word, a Russian Coastguard Officer said, "Our captain asked you to leave this area. If you refuse to leave this area we will take strict measures."
Greenpeace entered the area to protest against Arctic oil exploration by Russian state-owned company Rosneft and US oil giant ExxonMobil. The ship will now leave the NSR Monday, but Greenpeace International is calling on the Dutch government to consider a legal complaint against Russia. One activists closing statement following today's events were, "We have decided to leave the area, however, we do so only under the threat of fire. What we came here to do was to expose preparations for destructive oil drilling and we have done that. We have also exposed the role of the Russian authorities in defending the oil industry. You are acting to defend the oil industry, we are acting to defend the Arctic."
Note: Footage can not be archived or used in conjunction with other news pieces or documentaries etc.
01:26All footage is Greenpeace copyright free for news use for 2 weeks from release date
Russia: Sun sets on 'Arctic Sunrise' after coastguard threatens to open fire
The Russian Coast Guard threated to fire on a Greenpeace vessel protesting Exxon Mobil Corporation and Rosneft drilling in the Arctic, and turned the ship around in waters north of Siberia. The Greenpeace ship, "Arctic Sunrise" decided to leave the frigid waters of the Kara Sea and the Northern Sea Route (NSR) following warnings from the Russian Coast Guard. After boarding the "Arctic Sunrise," the Coast Guard repeated its claim that the ship entered the NSR illegally and warned the ship it would use force if necessary, including opening fire on the ship, if the "Arctic Sunrise" would not leave.
Campaigners have been warning of high risks of oil blowouts and spills in this pristine and hard-to-reach area. A Greenpeace campaigner said, "We believe that Arctic oil drilling should never happen, it shouldn't happen here in Kara sea, it shouldn't happen anywhere in the Arctic, because it's too dangerous for the climate and for the Arctic environment".
In a final word, a Russian Coastguard Officer said, "Our captain asked you to leave this area. If you refuse to leave this area we will take strict measures."
Greenpeace entered the area to protest against Arctic oil exploration by Russian state-owned company Rosneft and US oil giant ExxonMobil. The ship will now leave the NSR Monday, but Greenpeace International is calling on the Dutch government to consider a legal complaint against Russia. One activists closing statement following today's events were, "We have decided to leave the area, however, we do so only under the threat of fire. What we came here to do was to expose preparations for destructive oil drilling and we have done that. We have also exposed the role of the Russian authorities in defending the oil industry. You are acting to defend the oil industry, we are acting to defend the Arctic."
Note: Footage can not be archived or used in conjunction with other news pieces or documentaries etc.