The Russian Ministry of Transport confirmed on 7/1 that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera was seized by the US military "in international waters, outside the territorial waters of any state." Russian officials subsequently lost all contact with the vessel.

The Russian Ministry of Transport stated the vessel received a temporary permit to fly the Russian flag from 24/12/2025. The agency affirmed the permit was issued in accordance with Russian and international law.

Moscow criticized Washington's use of coercive measures against the vessel, asserting it violated the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters.

The US is not a party to UNCLOS, although it often claims to abide by the convention's rules and uses the convention as a legal basis for many operations in international waters, including freedom of navigation operations.

US special forces board the Marinera oil tanker in the waters between Iceland and the UK. *Photo: X/Sec_Noem*

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the same day it is "closely monitoring" developments related to the Marinera vessel. The agency stated it is likely there are Russian citizens among the crew, and Moscow demanded the US ensure "humane and dignified" treatment for those detained and facilitate their swift return home.

The US has not commented on Russia's accusations. The US placed the vessel on its sanctions list in 2024, alleging it transported Iranian oil for organizations considered terrorist by the US.

The Marinera vessel, previously registered as Bella 1 and flying the Guyanese flag, was targeted by the US late last year when it was suspected of attempting to approach Venezuela. At that time, the US Coast Guard attempted to board the vessel, but the crew did not cooperate, redirecting towards the North Atlantic.

After weeks of the Marinera being pursued by the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Munro, the US military's European Command (EUCOM) announced on 7/1 that it had brought the vessel under control in the North Atlantic. The operation, coordinated with the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Homeland Security, was carried out under a US federal court order.

Washington does not recognize this as a Russian vessel, asserting the vessel belongs to a "shadow fleet" specializing in transporting Venezuelan oil to evade sanctions and is considered stateless.

*Thanh Danh (According to RT, TASS, Reuters)*