The USA seized two tankers in the Atlantic Ocean, one of which was under the Russian flag.

The tanker, originally named Bella 1, was seized in the northern part of the Atlantic under a warrant issued by a federal court in the USA. The USCGC Munro Coast Guard vessel tracked it, as indicated by the European Command of the US Armed Forces.

Information about the seizure was confirmed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Department of Defense of the USA.

According to reports, the operation was conducted under the orders of the US President, aimed at combating vessels under American sanctions that threaten the security of the Western Hemisphere.

“The ban on sanctioned and illegal Venezuelan oil remains in effect — anywhere in the world,” added Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth in his post on X.

At the same time, the US Southern Command reports the seizure of another tanker from the "shadow fleet" in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel Sophia, according to military sources, had no nationality and was under US sanctions.

Several media outlets, including Reuters, CBS, and CNN, reported on the beginning of the seizure of the tanker Marinera while it was already sailing under the Russian flag.

After changing its flag from Guyana to Russian, the tanker became one of the focuses of attention for the US Coast Guard as part of the pressure campaign on Venezuela initiated by President Trump.

The Russian Ministry of Transport issued a statement condemning the actions of the USA as illegal. The agency noted that according to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the regime of freedom of navigation applies on the high seas.

The agency also emphasized that the vessel received temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, 2025.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that there are Russian citizens on board the tanker and called on the USA to ensure their safe return home. Moscow also demanded humane treatment of the crew.

At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt noted that the court's decision allowing the seizure of Marinera also applies to its crew, which opens the possibility of their delivery to the USA and prosecution.

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing an unnamed government source, Russia has sent naval escort assets, including a submarine, to the tanker.

According to US information, the tanker, which was empty, had previously been used to transport Venezuelan oil and was spotted on January 6 between Scotland and Iceland.

Before the start of the military operation by the USA from British territory, Washington is obliged to notify its ally.

The British Ministry of Defense expressed its support for the US operation to seize the tanker and promised to continue actions against the "shadow fleet." Defense Minister John Healey noted that “our Armed Forces demonstrated skill in successfully intercepting the vessel Bella 1.” This has become part of the global fight against sanctions violations.

Previously, the British side had avoided comments regarding the military activities of other countries.

In December 2025, President Trump announced the imposition of a blockade against oil tankers under sanctions heading to Venezuela.

On the eve of the seizure, on Saturday, January 3, Trump accused the Venezuelan authorities of using vessels to transport drugs to the USA.

Last week, the US Coast Guard attempted to seize the tanker Bella 1 in the Caribbean Sea, but the vessel changed course. It also changed its name to Marinera and re-registered under the Russian flag, with the crew displaying the Russian flag on board.

The arrival of the vessel in European waters coincided with the appearance of about 10 American military transport planes and helicopters.

On Tuesday, two US officials told CBS News about plans to seize the tanker and a preference for its capture rather than sinking.

American sources speculated that the operation might resemble the recent seizure of the tanker The Skipper, when the Marine Corps and US special forces, along with the Coast Guard, captured a vessel under the flag of Guyana.

Russia expressed concern over the situation surrounding the tanker Marinera and called on the USA to cease its pursuit.

The situation surrounding the tanker unfolds against the backdrop of the recent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by American military forces in Caracas, where objects suspected of connections to drug trafficking were also attacked during the operation.