Images released by Russian media on 6/1 show a US Coast Guard vessel, believed to be a Legend-class cutter, trailing the oil tanker Marinera at sea. Maritime tracking data indicates the Marinera is moving towards the area between the UK and Iceland.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated on the same day it is closely monitoring the "unusual situation" surrounding the Marinera, emphasizing that the US and its NATO allies are giving "increasing and disproportionate attention" to the vessel.

US Coast Guard vessel trailing a Russian oil tanker in an image released on 6/1. Photo: X/Osint613

"A US Coast Guard vessel has closely followed the Marinera for several days, despite the vessel being about 4,000 km from the US coast. The Marinera is operating in international waters in the North Atlantic under a Russian flag, fully complying with international maritime law", the Russian Foreign Ministry statement read.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the Marinera. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), responsible for US military operations in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, stated it is "prepared to target sanctioned vessels and entities transiting the region".

The US and its allies have also deployed various aerial surveillance assets, including UK Typhoon fighter jets and KC-2 refuelers, US P-8A patrol aircraft, and Irish Air Corps C-295W planes.

Last month, the US seized two large oil tankers, Skipper and Centuries, alleging they belonged to an "illicit oil shipping fleet". US officials indicated more such vessels would be seized.

The Marinera was previously named Bella-1 before being re-registered and painted with the Russian flag. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's "dark fleet", specializing in transporting oil between Western-sanctioned countries. It is on Washington's sanctions list, accused of transporting Iranian oil to organizations designated as terrorist by the US.

Location of the Marinera in a graphic released on 6/1. Graphic: Kpler

In 12/2025, the Marinera traveled to Venezuela but did not dock. Despite not carrying cargo, the US Coast Guard on 20/12/2025 attempted to board the vessel, but the crew refused their request.

The Wall Street Journal reported on 6/1, citing three anonymous US officials familiar with the matter, that Russia dispatched a submarine and several warships to escort the Marinera, adding that Moscow had also asked Washington to pursue the oil tanker.

By Nguyen Tien (Source: War Zone, AP, TASS, RIA Novosti)