The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, following a pursuit that lasted more than two weeks in the North Sea. The action was taken over alleged violations of US sanctions, according to official statements, and comes amid claims that Russia had attempted to protect the vessel by deploying naval forces to escort it.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement to state news agency Tass, urged the United States to ensure “humane and dignified treatment” of Russian citizens on board the tanker and to respect their rights and interests. Russia’s Ministry of Transport also criticised the seizure, saying that under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, no country has the right to use force against vessels registered under another state’s jurisdiction. While the US has not ratified the convention, it generally recognises its provisions as customary international law.
The US European Command confirmed the operation in a post on X, stating that the tanker was seized jointly by the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense for violating US sanctions. The statement said the move was in line with a presidential proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels considered a threat to regional security.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reshared the post, reiterating that the blockade of sanctioned and illicit oil shipments, including those linked to Venezuela, remains fully in force worldwide.
The United Kingdom said it provided operational support to the US during the interception. The UK Ministry of Defence said British armed forces assisted US military assets in interdicting the vessel in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap, following a request from Washington.