BREAKING: US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker with links to Venezuela

The United States has seized an oil tanker linked to Venezuela after tracking the vessel across the Atlantic, according to a post by US European Command.

The tanker, originally named Bella 1, was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a “shadow fleet” involved in transporting illicit oil.

Reuters first reported the seizure on Wednesday, quoting two sources who said the operation was carried out by the US Coast Guard with support from the US military.

US Coast Guard officials had attempted to seize the tanker last month near Venezuela, but were unable to board it after the ship turned around and fled.

US forces continued to track the vessel as it headed northeast. US P-8 surveillance aircraft were deployed from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, and monitored the tanker for several days as it moved north and passed the UK coast, according to open-source flight data.

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During the pursuit, the tanker’s crew painted a Russian flag on the hull, claiming the vessel was operating under Russian protection.

Shortly afterwards, the ship appeared on Russia’s official register under a new name, Marinera. Russia subsequently filed a formal diplomatic request last month demanding that the US stop pursuing the vessel.

While the claim of Russian status could complicate the legal basis for the seizure, two sources familiar with the matter said the Trump administration does not recognise that status and considers the tanker to be stateless.

CNN reported that the US repositioned military assets to the UK ahead of the seizure.

At least 12 US C-17 aircraft landed at Fairford and Lakenheath airbases between January 3 and 5, with many flights originating from airfields in the United States.

V-22 Ospreys were also active in the UK in recent days, with flight data indicating training missions in eastern England from RAF Fairford. Two AC-130 gunships were also seen arriving at RAF Mildenhall on Sunday.

The US last used Special Operations Forces to help interdict a sanctioned tanker on December 11, when it supported a Coast Guard operation near Venezuela to seize the Skipper, a large crude carrier that was falsely flying Guyana’s flag.

United States President Donald Trump last month announced a “complete blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers attempting to enter or leave Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure the regime of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

US forces captured Maduro from a compound in Caracas early Saturday, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the blockade would continue as “leverage” over Venezuela’s interim government.

(CNN)