Russia Flags 'Anomalous Situation' Around Tanker Marinera as NATO States Track Ship

Overview

• The Russian Foreign Ministry says it is tracking with concern an anomalous situation surrounding the oil tanker Marinera.
• According to TASS citing The Times, the UK, Ireland, the United States, and France deployed aircraft to monitor the tanker in the Atlantic.
• The Times reported recent flights included two US P-8 aircraft from Mildenhall and a UK Eurofighter Typhoon from Lossiemouth, plus a French Navy patrol plane and an Irish Air Corps aircraft.
• Russia’s Foreign Ministry told TASS that a US Coast Guard ship has been following Marinera for several days and called on Western countries to uphold freedom of navigation on the high seas.
• The Times said the tanker previously breached a US maritime blockade of Venezuela and is heading toward the North Sea, and it suggested the United States could try to seize the vessel, which has not been confirmed.