Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused the United States of violating international law after US forces took control of the oil tanker Marinara, also known as MV Bella 1, in the North Atlantic. In a sharply worded statement, Moscow demanded that Washington immediately halt what it described as unlawful interference and adhere to established principles of international maritime navigation.
“We call on Washington to resume compliance with the fundamental norms and principles of international maritime navigation and immediately cease its illegal actions against the Marinara and other vessels engaged in law-abiding activities on the high seas,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry also stressed that Russian citizens were among the vessel’s crew, calling on US authorities to ensure their humane and dignified treatment and facilitate their swift return to Russia. Moscow warned that it was closely monitoring the situation and would not tolerate further pressure.
The dispute escalated after Russia formally condemned the seizure on January 7, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and a direct challenge to Russian sovereignty. The Russian Transport Ministry confirmed that the tanker had been taken under US control, while the Foreign Ministry argued that the operation ignored provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters.
US officials confirmed that the tanker was seized under the authority of a warrant issued by a US federal court. According to US European Command, the operation was carried out in coordination with the US Coast Guard, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security. The vessel was intercepted after weeks of surveillance and pursuit, with the seizure taking place in international waters of the North Atlantic.
Washington claims the tanker is part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport oil for sanctioned states, including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. US authorities allege the vessel had previously evaded boarding attempts in the Caribbean before crossing into the Atlantic.
Reuters reported that the Marinara had slipped through a broader US maritime operation targeting vessels carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media post that the blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments remains in force worldwide.
Russian state broadcaster RT reported that US forces boarded the tanker using a helicopter, publishing images showing an aircraft hovering above the vessel. According to RT, the tanker had been shadowed by a US Coast Guard ship for weeks, with earlier interception attempts disrupted by severe weather.
As the operation unfolded, marine traffic data showed the tanker approaching Iceland’s exclusive economic zone. Reuters later reported that a Russian submarine and a naval warship were operating nearby, adding to the tension, though no direct confrontation was reported.
Moscow insists the tanker was operating legally in international waters and accused the US and NATO of excessive attention toward what it described as a civilian vessel. Russian officials reiterated calls for Western nations to respect freedom of navigation under international maritime law.
The Marinara was sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for allegedly transporting oil on behalf of a company linked to Hezbollah. The seizure forms part of a broader US crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump on vessels involved in sanctioned oil exports.
In a related development, US authorities also seized a second vessel, the Panama-flagged supertanker M. Sophia, in international waters near the Caribbean. Reuters reported that the tanker had departed Venezuelan waters earlier this year and was allegedly operating with its transponder switched off while transporting oil toward China.
Observers say the dual seizures mark a significant escalation in US enforcement actions far beyond its territorial waters, further straining relations between Washington and Moscow as global attention turns to the growing risks of confrontation at sea.