Russian Naval ships Escorts Oil Tanker as US Eyes Seizure in Atlantic
07th Jan. 2026
Russia has deployed its naval assets to escort an oil tanker pursued by US forces across the North Atlantic, CBS News has reported. The move has intensified tensions in Atlantic, after the US signaled that it could attempt to seize the vessel, which it accuses of breaching sanctions linked to Venezuela and Iran.
US officials told CBS News that American forces were preparing to board the tanker, now known as Marinera. However, they stressed that the Washington would prefer seizure over destruction. Some data suggested that the ship was between Scotland and Iceland late on Tuesday, where rough seas and distance from shore could complicate any operation.
Route of the oil tanker raises the diplomatic stakes
The tanker, which is currently empty, has previously transported Venezuelan crude oil. Last month, the US Coast Guard attempted to board the ship, then called Bella 1, in the Caribbean after securing a warrant to seize it. At that point, it was suspected of carrying Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions.
Instead of stopping, the vessel altered course, changed its name, and reportedly reflagged from Guyana to Russia. Consequently, its arrival in the North Atlantic coincided with the deployment of several US military transport aircraft and helicopters to the region, which raises speculation about a possible interception.
Under international law, ships fall under the protection of their flag state. However, Dimitris Ampatzidis, a senior analyst at maritime intelligence firm Kpler, said that reflagging offered limited protection. “US action is driven by the vessel’s underlying identity [IMO number], ownership/control networks, and sanctions history, not by its painted markings or flag claim,” he told the leading news site. He added that the Russian registry could trigger “diplomatic friction” without preventing an enforcement.
US Signals Readiness, Russia Pushes Back
Meanwhile, US Southern Command said that on social media that it “remains ready to support our US government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region”. The command added that US naval forces were “vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest”.
Russia’s foreign ministry responded by accusing the US and NATO of disproportionate pressure. “At present, our vessel is sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation and in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law,” it said. Moscow also argued that Western governments should uphold freedom of navigation if they claim to support it.
The standoff follows President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he had ordered a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. A move Caracas described as “theft”. It also comes days after US forces seized former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. An operation that further strained already volatile relations between US, Russia, and Venezuela.
Web Resources on the US-Russia Standoff at Sea
1. NYTimes.com: Russia Sends Naval Vessel to Escort Oil Tanker U.S. Is Pursuing
2. WSJ.com: Russia Sends Submarine to Escort Tanker the U.S. Tried to Seize Off Venezuela
3. Reuters.com: Russia sends submarine to escort tanker
4. AcademicBlock.com: Denmark Tells Trump to Halt Greenland Takeover Threats