R
ussia on Thursday condemned the United States’ seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, calling the move a “gross violation” of international maritime law and warning it could further escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington.
In a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the tanker Marinera — formerly known as M/V Bella 1 — was seized by U.S. forces while “innocently passing through international waters” en route to a Russian port. The vessel had received temporary permission to fly the Russian flag on Dec. 24, the ministry said.
Moscow described the action as an “illegal military operation,” stressing that U.S. authorities had been repeatedly informed of the ship’s Russian registry and civilian status.
“International maritime law clearly provides for the exclusive jurisdiction of the flag state over vessels on the high seas,” the ministry said, adding that Russia neither consented to the boarding nor accepted Washington’s justification for the seizure.
The statement rejected U.S. claims that the tanker was stateless or operating under a false flag, calling such assertions unfounded. It also dismissed Washington’s reliance on U.S. sanctions legislation as lacking any legal basis under international law.
“Under these circumstances, the boarding and seizure of a peaceful vessel by U.S. military personnel, as well as the detention of its crew, can only be interpreted as a gross violation of freedom of navigation,” the ministry said.
Moscow further criticized suggestions by U.S. officials that the operation was part of a broader effort to control Venezuela’s oil exports, describing such remarks as “cynical” and reflective of “neocolonialist pretensions.”
The Foreign Ministry warned that the incident risked fueling “acute international crises,” including in Russian-American relations, and could heighten military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region.
“We call on Washington to immediately cease its illegal actions against the Marinera and other vessels engaged in legitimate activities on the high seas,” the statement said.
U.S. forces announced on Wednesday that they had seized the tanker for alleged violations of U.S. sanctions. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the vessel was considered part of Venezuela’s so-called “shadow fleet” and was transporting oil subject to U.S. restrictions.
Leavitt said the tanker was deemed stateless after sailing under a false flag and was seized under a judicial order. She added that the crew could face prosecution under U.S. federal law and be brought to the United States if necessary.
There was no immediate comment from the tanker’s operators.
(Source: Anadolu Agency)
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