Moscow condemns US seizure of Russian oil tanker in North Atlantic

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed serious concern over the U.S. military operation on January 7 against the Russian oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic.

“The vessel, which had received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag, was conducting a peaceful passage through international waters of the North Atlantic en route to one of Russia’s ports,” the statement said, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“The U.S. authorities repeatedly received reliable information about the vessel’s Russian affiliation and civilian status. There could be no doubt about this, nor any grounds to claim the tanker was ‘without a flag’ or ‘under a fake flag',” the ministry emphasised. 

It further noted: “Stopping and inspecting a ship on the high seas is only possible under a limited set of conditions, such as piracy or human trafficking, which are clearly not applicable to the Marinera.”

“The landing of U.S. military personnel on a peaceful ship in international waters and its effective seizure, along with the detention of the crew, cannot be interpreted in any way other than as a gross violation of fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law, as well as freedom of navigation,” the ministry said.

In conclusion, the Russian Foreign Ministry demanded that the U.S. side treat the Russian citizens aboard the tanker "humanely and with dignity," fully respect their rights and interests, and not obstruct their prompt return to their homeland.

On January 7, 2026, U.S. military and Coast Guard forces seized the Russian‑flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic after a weeks‑long pursuit that began near the Caribbean. The operation also included the interception of a second tanker, Sophia.

According to U.S. authorities, the Marinera (formerly named Bella 1) was linked to a “shadow fleet” of vessels evading international sanctions tied to Venezuelan and Iranian oil shipments. It had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and was said to have attempted to evade a previous boarding.

By Khagan Isayev