Russia Sends Submarine to Escort Tanker the U.S. Tried to Seize Off Venezuela
Russia dispatched a submarine and naval vessels to escort an oil tanker, previously known as the Bella 1 and later renamed Marinera under the Russian flag, which the U.S. pursued and seized for violating sanctions linked to Venezuela.
The tanker evaded a U.S. Coast Guard boarding attempt near Venezuela last month, changed its identity, and sailed into the Atlantic while empty. U.S. forces, under President Trump’s renewed blockade enforcement, tracked and seized it in the North Atlantic on January 7, 2026, pursuant to a federal court warrant for transporting sanctioned Iranian oil.
Russia condemned the seizure as a breach of international law and piracy, demanding the return of its flagged vessel and crew. Officials confirmed deploying the submarine between Iceland and Britain to protect the ship, signaling Moscow’s readiness to defend its interests amid escalating tensions.
The Trump administration described the tanker as part of Venezuela’s “shadow fleet” involved in illicit oil trade financing Maduro’s regime, with ties to Iran and Hezbollah since 2024 sanctions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed the global blockade remains in effect against such vessels.
The operation aligns with recent U.S. actions, including seizing another tanker in the Caribbean and capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on narco-terrorism charges. The UK provided surveillance support, heightening geopolitical friction with Russia over Venezuela’s oil.
