Russia has deployed a submarine and other naval vessels to escort an oil tanker across the North Atlantic amid heightened pursuit by United States forces, according to US officials.
The tanker, formerly known as Bella 1 and now operating under the name Marinera, is accused by Washington of breaching US sanctions by transporting sanctioned oil. Although the vessel has historically carried Venezuelan crude, officials say it is currently believed to be empty.
The ship, now sailing between Iceland and the British Isles, has reportedly been reflagged from Guyana to Russia, a move analysts say could complicate US enforcement actions. The tanker is currently operating under the Russian flag while navigating international waters.
Two US officials confirmed to CBS News that Moscow has dispatched a submarine and additional naval assets to monitor and escort the vessel, following an earlier attempt by the US Coast Guard to board it in the Caribbean last month. At the time, US authorities had obtained a warrant to seize the ship over alleged sanctions violations.
After the failed boarding attempt, the tanker sharply altered its course toward Europe, coinciding with increased US military activity in the region, including the arrival of multiple military transport aircraft and helicopters.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was “monitoring the situation with concern,” insisting the vessel is operating legally under international maritime law.
“For reasons unclear to us, a Russian ship is receiving disproportionate attention from US and NATO forces despite its peaceful status,” the ministry said in a statement.
US officials said Washington prefers to seize the vessel rather than disable it and remains prepared to act if necessary. The US Southern Command stated it remains ready to support efforts against sanctioned vessels transiting the region.
Maritime analysts note that changing a vessel’s name or flag does not necessarily shield it from sanctions enforcement. Experts say US action is driven by a ship’s ownership history, sanctions record and identification number, rather than its current registry.
However, analysts also note that reflagging to Russia removes the ship from provisions under international law that allow boarding of stateless vessels, potentially limiting enforcement options.
The incident unfolds amid rising geopolitical tensions following the recent arrest of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in Caracas. Since the operation, several US-sanctioned tankers, including Marinera, have reportedly switched to Russian registry.
Verified reports says that at least 19 US-sanctioned oil tankers have changed flags to Russia since the seizure of another tanker, Skipper, last month, highlighting a growing pattern within the global “dark fleet” oil trade.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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