Media: US forces seizes control of Russia-flagged Marinera tanker PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

US European Command confirms seizure of Russian oil tanker Marinera in the Atlantic Ocean, TASS reports.

17:56

US military personnel have boarded the oil tanker Marinera, Fox News journalist Lucas Tomlinson announced on X.

“US forces boarded sanctioned oil tanker between Iceland and the British isles before Russian warships and a submarine could arrive, officials say. The tanker was previously called Bella 1, but had reflagged to become a Russian vessel,” he wrote.

U.S. forces boarded sanctioned oil tanker between Iceland and the British isles before Russian warships and a submarine could arrive, officials say. The tanker was previously called Bella 1, but had reflagged to become a Russian vessel.

— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 7, 2026

17:10

A landing operation is reportedly underway on board the oil tanker Marinera, which is being pursued by the US Coast Guard, according to a source cited by RT.

The source suggests that the personnel attempting to board the vessel are likely US servicemen.

Meanwhile, two US officials told Reuters that the United States is carrying out the detention of the Marinera oil tanker.

The tanker, previously known as Bella-1, has reportedly been evading pursuit off the coast of Venezuela for 17 days. During this period, it travelled a considerable distance and is now believed to be near the coasts of Iceland and the United Kingdom.

According to The War Zone, a US Coast Guard vessel is chasing the Russia-flagged Marinera in neutral waters of the North Atlantic near the United Kingdom.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has previously stated that it is monitoring the situation, adding that the level of attention being paid to the tanker by the United States and NATO is disproportionate to its status.

By Jeyhun Aghazada