Overview
- U.S. forces boarded the Marinera under a U.S. federal court warrant roughly 190 miles south of Iceland after USCGC Munro tracked the vessel across the Atlantic.
- Reports said U.S. special operations personnel conducted the boarding and the United Kingdom provided basing and aerial surveillance support.
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the action a violation of international maritime law, noted temporary permission for the ship to sail under the Russian flag, and demanded assurances for humane treatment of its citizens aboard.
- Russian media cited a multinational crew that includes three Indian nationals, alongside Ukrainian, Georgian, and Russian citizens, though the composition has not been officially confirmed by the U.S.
- U.S. officials and shipping analysts describe the vessel as a shadow‑fleet tanker previously sanctioned in 2024 that reflagged and changed identities, and U.S. Southern Command separately announced the seizure of the M/T Sophia in the Caribbean.