Indian Nationals Freed From Russia-Flagged Tanker Seized By US Forces In North Atlantic

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 21:56 IST

Indian nationals who were among the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized last week in the North Atlantic have been released.

The US Coast Guard cutter Munro escorts the oil tanker formerly known as the Bella-1 before it switched its registration to Russia and changed its name to the Marinera, in North Atlantic waters. (IMAGE: AFP)

Indian nationals who were among the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized last week in the North Atlantic have been released, officials said on Monday.

The tanker, Marinera, was intercepted during a US-led operation in international waters in the North Atlantic. American authorities have said the vessel was part of a so-called “shadow fleet" involved in transporting oil for sanctioned countries, including Venezuela, Russia and Iran.

There were 28 crew members on board the tanker at the time of the seizure, including three Indian nationals, along with Ukrainian, Georgian and Russian crew members. All were initially detained following the interception.

A 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, on his first sea assignment, was among those on board the tanker. His family had earlier said they last spoke to him on the day the tanker was seized.

The development came on the same day Sergio Gor formally took charge as the new United States Ambassador to India in New Delhi. Speaking after assuming office, Gor said India and the US remain engaged across a range of issues and that both sides continue to work through differences.

“Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow," Gor said in New Delhi as he formally took charge of his position.

“The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level," he further added.

The release of the Indian nationals also follows Russia’s announcement last week that US authorities had decided to free Russian crew members from the same vessel. Moscow had criticised the seizure and warned against prosecuting crew members detained during the operation.

The United States last week had said that Marinera’s crew could be prosecuted — which Russia said was “categorically unacceptable."

Moscow accused Washington of stoking tensions and threatening international shipping with the seizure of the tanker, which it has cast as illegal.

Russia’s foreign ministry said the move will “only result in further military and political tensions", adding that it was worried by “Washington’s willingness to generate acute international crisis situations."

News india Indian s Freed From Russia-Flagged Tanker Seized By US Forces In North Atlantic

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