US EditionUK Helped US Military to Seize Sentenced Oil Tanker on Way to Russia
U.S. forces seized two tankers, including one with 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, to enforce sanctions and assert control over Venezuela's oil industry, officials said.
- On January 7, 2026, U.S. forces seized two Venezuela-linked, Russia-flagged tankers in international waters, including the Marinera and a second tanker near the Caribbean Sea.
- Seeking to enforce sanctions, U.S. officials labeled one tanker 'stateless' after flying a false flag and consider prosecuting its personnel to tighten control over Venezuela's oil industry.
- US Southern Command footage shows forces boarding the M/T Sophia after a weeks-long pursuit, with Kristi Noem, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary, declaring `This is America first at sea`.
- Russian officials condemned the seizure as a brazen violation of international law and Moscow sent a submarine, warning Russian naval units could escort or fight if intercepted.
- The M/T Sophia was reported to carry around 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, and analysts warned the seizure could jeopardize Ukraine war talks and risk NATO-Russia confrontation.
14 Articles
14 Articles
UK helped US military to seize sentenced oil tanker on way to Russia
Washington says it has intercepted two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic as part of President Trump’s hardline effort to control oil movements across the Americas, claiming the vessels—the Marinera and the M Sophia—were part of a so-called shadow fleet used to ship sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran. Russia has condemned the seizures as outright piracy, noting that one of the tankers was sailing under a Russian flag. Eliza Herbe…
US capture of Russian-flagged ship could derail Ukraine War talks
Today’s U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged, Venezuelan-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean threaten the success of critical Ukraine war talks, where negotiations for security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine are now underway.For its part, Russia condemned today’s tanker seizure, calling it illegal under maritime law. Russia says the seized tanker, part of a “shadow” fleet aiming to avoid oil sanctions, had temporary permission from Russia to…
Russia condemns U.S. seizure of its tanker in international waters
Russia’s Transport Ministry said the seized tanker Marinera (IMO: 9230880), formerly known as Bella 1, was sailing under the Russian flag on the basis of a temporary permit issued in accordance with Russian law and international maritime law. The ministry called the U.S. actions illegal. The ministry said the vessel was in international waters and that Russia has since lost contact with it: “Today at about 3 p.m. Moscow time, in the open sea bey…
Russia Says U.S. Seizure of Tanker Violated Maritime Law, Local Lawmaker Calls it 'Outright Piracy'
Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of violating international maritime law after U.S. forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
The US seizure of two tankers in the open sea has turned into an international crisis. Beijing warned of illegal sanctions and arbitrary detention, while Moscow emphasized that freedom of navigation had been violated. The US is being held responsible for the safety of the seafarers.
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