US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in European waters
The United States has successfully seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic following a pursuit lasting more than two weeks, after Moscow reportedly moved to safeguard the vessel by dispatching a submarine, according to a Sky News report, in-cyprus.philenews.com
The tanker Marinera has been secured and is in US custody, according to an American official speaking to NBC News. The Department of Homeland Security led the operation with US military support, and US law enforcement officials are currently on board.
Russian state broadcaster RT had earlier published two grainy photographs showing a helicopter approaching the tanker, saying an operation was under way. Reuters, citing two American officials, also confirmed the US was attempting to board the ship.
The tanker had been travelling from Iran to Venezuela but turned back into the Atlantic after attempting to evade a US blockade targeting sanction-hit oil tankers operating near Venezuelan waters, according to a Guardian report.
In the 24 hours before the operation, multiple surveillance flights were observed over the vessel, including aircraft from US bases in Iceland and RAF Rivet Joint and P-8 Poseidon planes from the UK, which are capable of detecting submarines.
In December, the crew repelled an attempted US boarding near Venezuela, after which a Russian flag was hastily painted on the hull and the ship was added to Russia’s official shipping registry. Moscow subsequently lodged a formal diplomatic protest demanding that Washington halt its pursuit.
The seizure of the tanker is likely to strain US relations with President Vladimir Putin at a sensitive moment as negotiations over a potential peace deal in Ukraine continue.
