On Wednesday, the US European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 tanker, sailing under the Russian flag and renamed Marinera, in connection with circumventing US sanctions. British Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft were involved in the action in the North Atlantic.
The takeover of the tanker by the Americans was met with a firm reaction from Russia. In an official statement, the local Ministry of Transport accused the US of violating maritime law. Andrei Klishas, a member of parliament from the United Russia party, Vladimir Putin's political base, openly admitted that the United States' actions are “open piracy.”
See also: Russia reacts to the US takeover of the tanker. “Violation of international law”
Russia's decisive reaction after the US took over the tanker. These are their demands
“Taking into account the incoming information about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the American side provide them with humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests and do not hinder their speedy return to their homeland,” reads a statement from the Russian Ministry of Transport, quoted by the TASS news agency.
Read also: The Americans took over a tanker under the Russian flag. Military action in the middle of the Atlantic
The Americans seized a tanker flying the Russian flag
Bella 1 is a tanker linked to Venezuela and Iran that has been pursued by American ships for two weeks. He was placed under US sanctions in 2024 for transporting Iranian crude oil. White House officials said the ship was stateless and flying a false flag. In December 2025, during the first American takeover attempt, he resisted. It was then that it changed its name to Marinera and was registered as Russian.
