U.S. Announces Seizure of Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker accused of violating U.S. sanctions, a move that has triggered a sharp protest from Moscow and renewed scrutiny of illicit oil shipments linked to Venezuela.

U.S. European Command said the M/V Bella 1 was seized in the North Atlantic under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro. “The U.S. Department of Justice & Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of War today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions,” the command said in a social media post.

The command later thanked the U.K. Ministry of Defence for its support. The U.K. MoD said British forces provided pre-planned operational assistance, including basing, after a U.S. request. It said RFA Tideforce supported U.S. forces during the interdiction between the U.K. and Iceland, while the Royal Air Force provided aerial surveillance.

U.S. officials said the tanker, also known as Marinera, is part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport oil for sanctioned states, including Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The vessel was sanctioned by Washington in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

According to U.S. authorities, the ship had evaded a U.S. Coast Guard boarding attempt in the Caribbean in December and crossed the Atlantic after refusing to stop. MarineTraffic data showed the tanker nearing Iceland’s exclusive economic zone before it was seized.

“The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT – anywhere in the world,” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media.

Russia’s Ministry of Transport said the seizure violated international maritime law. It said the vessel was granted temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag on December 24 and was boarded by U.S. naval forces “in the open sea, beyond the territorial waters of any state.” “Freedom of navigation applies on the high seas,” the ministry said, adding that contact with the vessel was lost after the boarding.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the tanker was receiving “heightened attention” from U.S. and NATO forces that was “clearly disproportionate to its peaceful status.” A Russian submarine and warship were reportedly in the vicinity during the operation, but there were no signs of a confrontation. Russian authorities have not confirmed any formal escort.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the Bella 1 was seized alongside a second vessel, the M Sophia, in coordinated operations. She said the M Sophia was taken in international waters near the Caribbean. The Panama-flagged tanker was under U.S. sanctions and had recently departed Venezuelan waters while operating with its transponder switched off.

Noem said the Bella 1 had attempted to evade U.S. authorities for weeks, including by changing its flag and repainting its name. She said both vessels were either last docked in Venezuela or en route there at the time of seizure.