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yesterday

U.S. Seizes Russia-Flagged Tanker In North Atlantic After Two-Week Chase

U.S. forces acted under a federal warrant to enforce sanctions on a shadow fleet moving sanctioned crude tied to Venezuela or Iran.

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A handout image of the ship Marinera (Ex-Bella 1) seen in the distance, released on January 7, 2026. US EUROPEAN COMMAND via X/Handout via REUTERS
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Overview

  • U.S. Coast Guard and military personnel boarded the Marinera between Iceland and the U.K. under a U.S. court warrant after tracking by cutter Munro.
  • The tanker, formerly Bella‑1, evaded a December attempt to board near Venezuela by going dark, renaming, and reflagging to Russia with a painted flag.
  • Russia condemned the operation as unlawful under maritime law, while U.S. officials reported a Russian submarine and warship in the vicinity.
  • The U.K. Ministry of Defence said it provided surveillance and basing support, with RAF aircraft assisting as the vessel transited the North Atlantic.
  • U.S. Southern Command announced a separate seizure of the stateless tanker M/T Sophia in the Caribbean, following December captures of the Skipper and Centuries in the ongoing sanctions campaign.