Russian tanker Bella 1 is being seized off the UK coast, Russian media has claimed, as photos of a helicopter assault leak online. After a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic, the US is attempting to seize the Venezuela-linked tanker, a US official has confirmed.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation is being conducted by the US Coast Guard in coordination with the US military. The seizure is currently taking place near Ireland, according to Russian media. Just hours ago US ship was spotted stalking the vessels. Amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed powers, the US dispatched submarine-hunting aircraft to track Russian warships in the North Atlantic.
The seizure — a move guaranteed to inflame already heightened tensions with Moscow — followed the tanker’s escape from a US maritime “blockade” on sanctioned vessels and its refusal to comply with Coast Guard boarding attempts.
The ship had previously been operating under the name Bella-1 before its name was suddenly changed to Marinera after the US Coast Guard attempted to board it in the Caribbean.
Although the vessel is believed to be empty, the US had obtained a warrant over alleged violations of US sanctions and claims that the ship had transported Iranian oil.
Over half a dozen US and UK military aircraft are operating between Iceland and the British Isles as American forces board Marinera, previously known as Bella 1.
Earlier today Russia moved in warships to protect the oil tanker. The interception comes just days after US special forces launched a dramatic pre-dawn raid in Caracas, seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flying him to the United States to face federal charges including drug trafficking, according to multiple officials.
The vessel departed Keflavik, Iceland earlier today with a KC-135 Stratotanker in support for refuelling.
Earlier today Russia said it was “monitoring the situation with concern” accused the US and Nato of subjecting the vessel to “clearly disproportionate” scrutiny.
In a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the ship is sailing in international waters under the Russian flag and is operating “in full compliance with international maritime law.” Moscow added that it expects Western nations to uphold that principle in practice.
A Downing Street spokesman said it would not comment on speculation, or the uses of British military bases by third parties.