Russia has remained defiant after UN maritime tribunal ordered it to free a Greenpeace vessel and 30 people, including two Kiwis, detained after an oil drilling protest in the Arctic, the BBC reported.

A Russian statement issued after the ruling said the Hamburg tribunal had no jurisdiction in the case.

The Arctic Sunrise and its crew were detained two months ago after being boarded at gunpoint by Russians in September after a protest over Arctic oil drilling.

Kiwi Jonathan Beauchamp was among 17 detainees to be granted bail early today, meaning all but one man have now been bailed, awaited trial on hooliganism charges.

The wife of the remaining protester being held by the Russians told in an interview Saturday of her 'rollercoaster ride' watching the release of the other crew members as her husband was returned to custody.

Originally it was the Arctic 30. Now it's the Arctic One - an Australian.

Christine Russell, whose husband Colin was the radio operator on the Arctic Sunrise, appealed to Prime Minister Tony Abbott to 'pick up the phone' to President Putin and said ministerial support from Australia had been 'appalling'.

Speaking to Fairfax Media from her home in Tasmania, she said: " I would expect Prime Minister Abbott, given the circumstances, to be calling. He should be talking directly to President Putin. If ever there was a time it is now that they should be picking up the phone for Colin.

"I am not aware personally that he [Abbott] has made any sort of representation, whether it is to President Putin or Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Its really disappointing, really disappointing.

"I wrote him a letter on 8 November requesting a meeting. I have had no response except an automated email acknowledgement."

She added: "It has been the most intense, emotional, mental , physical rollercoaster since this started on the 19 September. There are days where it has been unbearable for me and our daughter Maddy. I am so overjoyed at the other 29 crew are out on bail, of course its hard, but I am so overjoyed for their next of kin. I know what it would feel like to see Colin walk out. I have no resentment whatsoever that everybody else is out.

"Our ambassador spent two hours with Colin on Thursday providing support. From the consular level the Australians have been remarkable. At a ministerial level, huh, appalling.

"If Mr Abbott is not prepared to support something then I am just so, so...disappointed is not the word."

Asked how her husband looked when she saw him on television, she added: "He is certainly not the same man who left home around the 15th July. Physically he looked very tired, he's lost a lot of weight.

"When you are hoping that sanity is going to prevail and it doesn't, down you go."

Ben Pearson, Programme Director for Greenpeace Australia in a message to Mr Abbott, said: "Thank you for what you have done so far but get on the phone and work out what the problem is.

"The issue here is for Tony Abbott essentially. He has to get on the phone and ask that question of Vladimir Putin - why is it that the only person who didn't get bail is the Australian.

"I am not sure why he is not taking that extra step. Angela Merkel has done this, the German chancellor. David Cameron the British Prime Minister has done this.

"We need Mr Abbott on the phone asking why has the one Australian been singled out and what do we have to do? What assurances do we have to provide to you so that he gets bail?"

An appeal is likely early next week but if that fails Mr Russell could be detained until the next court appearance on February 24.