Overview
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry said President Trump decided to free two Russian sailors from the tanker Marinera, without specifying timing or logistics, and there was no independent U.S. confirmation in the reports.
- U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure in the North Atlantic, and the White House identified the vessel as the Marinera, formerly Bella 1, linked to networks moving sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
- Moscow lodged a formal protest, asserting the ship had temporary authorization to sail under the Russian flag from December 24 and accusing Washington of violating international maritime law.
- Reports describe a prolonged pursuit culminating in a helicopter boarding in international waters, with the crew offering no resistance when U.S. forces took control.
- Coverage indicates the tanker changed its name, registration, and displayed a Russian flag during the chase, while accounts differed on whether Russian naval assets were nearby.