'Unlawful Action': Russia Calls On US To Cease Seizure Of Oil Tanker Marinera

Last Updated:January 09, 2026, 07:06 IST

The statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry came after the Marinera, a tanker linked to Venezuelan oil shipments, was intercepted and taken under US control.

The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela (Photo: Reuters)

Russia on Friday called on Washington to immediately stop ‘unlawful actions’ after the United States seized the oil tanker Marinera in international waters.

In a statement, Moscow said the vessel was engaged in lawful activities on the high seas and demanded that the US ensure proper treatment of the Russian citizens on board.

“We call on Washington to immediately cease its unlawful actions against the Marinera and other vessels engaged in lawful activities on the high seas. We reiterate our demand that the US ensure appropriate treatment of the Russian citizens on board," said the Russian Foreign Ministry in an official statement.

The comments came after the Marinera, a tanker linked to Venezuelan oil shipments, was intercepted and taken under US control following a pursuit that lasted several weeks.

The commercial vessel, chartered by a private trader, was sailing under the flag of Guyana at the time of the seizure. It had a crew of 28 people drawn from several countries, including Indian, Ukrainian, Georgian and Russian nationals.

According to available details, the crew included 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians — among them the ship’s captain — two Russians and three Indian nationals. Russia said the incident raised serious concerns over freedom of navigation and the safety of foreign seafarers operating in international waters.

The ministry said that the boarding and seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the United States amounted to a serious violation of international maritime law and freedom of navigation, stressing that the vessel was a civilian ship operating legally in international waters and under Russian jurisdiction at the time of the incident.

It added that Russia had repeatedly informed US authorities of the ship’s status and had formally protested against the continued pursuit of the tanker by the US Coast Guard.

“The Marinera, which was temporarily authorised to fly the Russian flag on December 24 in accordance with international and Russian law, was transiting peacefully through international waters of the North Atlantic en route to a Russian port.

According to the statement, US authorities, including through official communications with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were repeatedly provided with reliable information confirming the vessel’s Russian registration and its civilian, non-military status.

“Under these circumstances, the boarding and de facto seizure of a civilian vessel on the high seas by US military personnel, along with the detention of its crew, can only be viewed as a gross violation of fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law and the freedom of navigation," the statement said.

“This constitutes a serious infringement upon the legitimate rights and interests of the shipowner. The lives and health of the Marinera’s crew, which includes citizens of several countries, are now at risk. We consider the threats of legal action against them on absurd grounds by US authorities to be utterly unacceptable," it added.

News world 'Unlawful Action': Russia Calls On US To Cease Seizure Of Oil Tanker Marinera

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