Washington: A sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela has become the centre of a growing international standoff after Russia sent a submarine and naval vessels to escort it across the Atlantic, following efforts by the United States to seize the ship.
The tanker, earlier known as Bella 1, recently changed its name to Marinera and was re registered under the Russian flag. US authorities had been tracking the vessel for weeks, saying it was linked to oil shipments that violated American sanctions on Venezuela.
In late December, US forces attempted to intercept the tanker near Venezuelan waters. The ship managed to evade seizure and began moving north into the Atlantic. Since then, US Coast Guard and military aircraft have continued close surveillance of its route.
Russia has now confirmed that it deployed naval assets, including a submarine, to ensure the tanker’s safe passage. The move is seen as a rare and serious escalation, as military escorts for commercial vessels are uncommon outside active conflict zones.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the tanker is currently sailing without oil cargo and appears to be heading toward northern waters, possibly en route to Russia. US officials say the absence of cargo does not change the legal basis for seizure, as the vessel itself remains under sanctions.
The United States argues that it has the right to act against ships involved in sanctions evasion, especially when vessels change names and flags to avoid enforcement. Once the tanker came under the Russian flag, however, the legal and diplomatic risks increased significantly.
Moscow has criticised the US pursuit, saying the ship is a civilian vessel operating legally under Russian registration. Russian officials have warned against any attempt to board or seize the tanker while it is under their protection.
So far, there have been no reports of clashes or use of force between US and Russian units. Military activity has been limited to tracking, surveillance flights and naval shadowing. Claims circulating online about the tanker catching fire or being attacked have not been confirmed by any official source.
The incident highlights rising maritime tensions between the United States and Russia, as well as Washington’s tougher approach to enforcing sanctions linked to Venezuela. Analysts say the situation remains fluid and could test how far both sides are willing to go to defend their positions without triggering a wider confrontation.