Barentsburg is a small Russian coal-mining town located on the Spitsbergen island in the Svalbard archipelago, which is under Norwegian sovereignty. The town was established in the early 20th century, with the most significant development occurring after the Soviet Union purchased the mining operations from the Dutch in 1932. Barentsburg is the second-largest settlement in Svalbard, after Longyearbyen.

Historically, Barentsburg was a bustling community and an exemplar of Soviet Arctic enterprise, but its population and industrial activities have declined since the fall of the Soviet Union. Despite the decreasing profitability of coal mining, Russia maintains its presence there, driven by strategic interests in the Arctic and the desire to uphold its rights under the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. This treaty grants Norway sovereignty over Svalbard but allows all signatory countries, including Russia, to engage in commercial activities on equal terms.

The governance of Barentsburg, like other settlements in Svalbard, falls under Norwegian laws and regulations. However, the local affairs are predominantly managed by the Russian state-owned Arktikugol, which operates the coal mine and administers local services and infrastructure. The town has maintained a distinctly Russian character, with Russian being the primary language, and features cultural and community facilities including a school, cultural center, and Orthodox church, all serving to maintain the community's Russian heritage.