Relations between the United States and Russia have sharply worsened after American forces took control of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. The ship, now named Marinera, was seized by the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, leading to strong protests from Moscow, which says the action violates international law.
Russia’s Transport Ministry confirmed that the tanker had been taken. Its Foreign Ministry accused the United States of breaking the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and demanded that Russian nationals onboard be sent back home immediately.
Russia Demands Protection for Its Crew
After the seizure, Russia warned Washington not to mistreat its citizens and demanded their immediate return. Moscow also said the ship had legally switched to the Russian flag before it was boarded, making the U.S. action illegal.
“Considering the incoming information regarding the presence of Russian citizens amongthe crew, we demand that the American side ensure their humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests and not impede their speedy return to their homeland,” Russian Ministry of foreign Affairs.
Moscow condemned the seizure of the tanker flying its flag and demanded that the U.S. treat the Russian crew fairly and allow them to return home quickly.
The Russian Transport Ministry said it had given the ship “temporary permission” to use the Russian flag and added that no country has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in another nation’s waters.
Reports indicated that Russia sent a submarine to protect the tanker, but U.S. forces were able to board it without any resistance.
Reportedly Moscow was a close supporter of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Both Russia and Venezuela have depended on a secretive “dark fleet” of oil tankers that use different tricks to bypass international sanctions and keep oil flowing from isolated countries.
What Happened Step by Step
The U.S. Coast Guard and special forces boarded the Marinera south of Iceland. Officials said the crew did not resist and no Russian warships were nearby at that time. At the same time, a second tanker called Sophia was also seized near the northern coast of South America.
Before this, Russia had sent a submarine and other naval ships to escort the Marinera while it crossed the Atlantic. Even after Moscow warned Washington to stop, U.S. naval and coast guard ships continued to follow the tanker.
As tensions rose, President Donald Trump said, “I’m not thrilled with Putin. He’s killing too many people.” This crisis came just days after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas. They now face drug-trafficking charges in New York.
The actions came as the United States worked to cut off almost all exports of Venezuelan crude oil, and just days after American special forces carried out a quick raid in Caracas to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Washington Links Tanker Seizure to Venezuela Oil Plan
Just hours after two oil tankers were seized on Wednesday, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, the U.S. secretary of state announced a major plan for Venezuela. The proposal includes allowing the United States to sell up to 50 million barrels of seized Venezuelan oil and decide how the money from those sales will be used.
The tanker seizure further deepened tensions with Russia, especially after the U.S. removed Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, a close Russian ally, from power.
Where and How the Marinera Was Taken
The U.S. military said its forces had “seized” the Marinera in the North Atlantic, in waters between Scotland and Iceland. Officials said the vessel had violated U.S. sanctions. Although it was not carrying oil at the time, the tanker had earlier tried to reach Venezuela to load crude and had been avoiding U.S. forces for more than two weeks.
On the same day, U.S. authorities also captured another tanker that was transporting up to two million barrels of Venezuelan oil, according to ship-tracking companies.
How the Tanker Tried to Escape
The ship was first called Bella-1. When U.S. forces tried to board it earlier, the tanker refused and escaped into the Atlantic. It later changed its name to Marinera and re-registered under the Russian flag in an attempt to avoid being seized.
Seized Tankers Part of a Secret Oil Network
Data from Kpler and TankerTrackers.com shows that both seized tankers are part of a hidden shipping network often called a “ghost fleet.” These ships secretly transport oil for countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, despite heavy international sanctions.
This network is also known as the “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet.” These ships use false identities, location tricks, and flag changes to avoid being detected while moving banned oil across the world.
Why the U.S. Targeted the Marinera
American officials believe the Marinera was part of the shadow fleet that moves oil for sanctioned nations like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. Two other ships from this network Skipper and Centuries were recently taken by the U.S. as well.
White House Responds
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the tanker was trying to hide behind a false Russian identity. “It was a fake Russian oil tanker,” he said. “They basically tried to pretend to be a Russian oil tanker in an effort to avoid the sanctions regime.”
With warships involved, secret oil networks exposed, and Venezuela at the center of the storm, the tanker seizure has pushed U.S.–Russia relations into one of their most dangerous phases in years.
