The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed regret over the incident involving Elisabeth Ellingsen, a Norwegian consulate employee, who clashed with hotel staff in Murmansk and reportedly stated she despised Russians.
The ministry said it was deeply saddened by what occurred. The expressed sentiments do not reflect Norwegian policy or the general attitude of Norwegians toward Russia and its people. A spokesperson from the ministry, Tuva Rones Bogsnes, emphasized this point and noted that an official investigation would be conducted to determine appropriate actions.
The sequence of events began early on July 30 when Mash Telegram published footage from a security camera inside the lobby of the Murmansk Azimut hotel. The video shows Ellingsen becoming frustrated with the level of service during a discussion with hotel management and directing harsh language toward staff.
Mash reported that the root of the dispute was the hotel staff’s request to wait for housekeeping to finish cleaning a room, after which they would not grant Ellingsen a replacement room. During the confrontation Ellingsen is heard saying she hates Russians and demanded a room key be provided immediately. She questioned the cleanliness of the room and suggested she was accustomed to a higher standard of housekeeping, asserting that she would not sleep in the bed as it was freshened up for someone else. The exchange included further insistence that she would monitor the maid at the door as the cleaning took place and she condemned the hotel overall as disgraceful.
According to Mash, law enforcement began examining the statements made by Ellingsen. She faces potential criminal proceedings for incitement to hatred under Article 282 of the Criminal Code in Russia.
Azimut Hotels, the owner of the Murmansk property, commented to RBC on the incident. The chain said it values guests’ rights to express opinions but condemned the act of humiliating any person or undermining dignity, stressing that such conduct is unacceptable.
Reaction from Russian officials
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Ellingsen’s behavior as an expression of hostility and nationalism. She noted that the choice of words reflected ill will and suggested the actions evidenced clear bias against a nationality. The ministry is considering a formal response to what is labeled as a heated act of hatred and xenophobia, and it left open the possibility that any appropriate steps would be taken in coordination with the Norwegian authorities.
The governor of the Murmansk region, Andrey Chibis, commented that Russia will not tolerate hostile attitudes toward Russians. Public officials also voiced concerns about the remarks made by a foreign official stationed in the region, calling the statements unbecoming of a diplomat and signaling out what they described as narrow minded views. A regional state legislator stated that the matter would be addressed at the ministry level and stressed that such comments do not reflect the standards of respectful conduct expected from foreign representatives.
Ellingsen has held positions at the consulate since 2019 and previously worked in the visa department in Murmansk during 2007-2008. The timing of the video release remains unclear. The Norwegian consulate in Murmansk has suspended citizen services since July 1, and Russians seeking consular assistance in Moscow or St. Petersburg have been advised to contact the Consulate General in St. Petersburg due to the reduced activity in Murmansk. The closure followed a broader decision to scale back cross-border cooperation programs and joint initiatives with the aim of aligning staff activities with current realities on the ground, as explained by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consulate’s current operating stance reflects the wider context of changing international collaboration dynamics and the impact on local diplomatic services.