Russia issues strong response following US capture of Marinera oil tanker
In a recent development, Russia has reacted strongly to the seizure of the Marinera oil tanker by US forces. The operation to capture the Venezuelan-linked vessel, previously known as the Bella 1, was carried out with the assistance of RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic.
Despite being shadowed by Russian forces, the Marinera was seized as it sailed north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. Russian lawmaker Alexei Zhuravlev expressed outrage over the operation, urging President Vladimir Putin to take aggressive actions, including attacking with torpedoes and sinking American Coast Guard boats. He labeled the seizure as blatant piracy by the armed forces of the American navy.
Zhuravlev emphasized that as the tanker was sailing under the Russian national flag, the incident amounted to an encroachment on Russian territory. He hinted at the possibility of a swift and firm response, even mentioning the potential use of nuclear weapons as per Russia’s military doctrine.
Other Russian officials, including the deputy chairman of the defense committee and reserve commander Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev, also condemned the US actions. Gurulev suggested imposing sanctions on ships heading to Black Sea ports and using nuclear-capable missile systems to target Western missile production facilities.
Former Kremlin president Dmitry Medvedev warned the Trump administration against playing games with Russia. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary John Healey defended the seizure of the Marinera, citing the vessel’s stateless status and involvement in breaching sanctions on Iran.
The Russian foreign ministry criticized the seizure, claiming it violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ministry mentioned granting the ship a temporary permit to sail under the Russian Federation flag on Christmas Eve.
Prior to the seizure, Kremlin adviser Andrei Fedorov had cautioned that such actions could escalate tensions between Russia and the US, potentially leading to a crisis in their relations.