A Russian‑flagged oil tanker seized by U.S. forces in the North Atlantic had a 28‑member crew that included three Indian nationals, according toRussia Todayand other media outlets. The vessel, identified asMarinera—formerlyBella 1—was tracked by U.S. authorities from the Caribbean and intercepted on suspicion of violating sanctions through links to Venezuela.
According to reports, the crew also included Ukrainian, Georgian and Russian nationals, and the tanker was chartered by a private trader and previously operated under the flag of Guyana before being re‑registered under Russia. U.S. officials allege the ship attempted to evade a maritime blockade on sanctioned tankers and resisted U.S. Coast Guard boarding attempts.
U.S. authorities later confirmed the seizure of two vessels tied to Venezuela sanctions, withMarineraand another Panama‑flagged tanker,M Sophia, taken into custody. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said both were either last docked in Venezuela or en route there.
Russia’s transport ministry said it lost contact with the tanker after U.S. naval forces boarded it, and a senior Russian lawmaker labeled the action “outright piracy.” The United Kingdom said it provided operational support to the United States during the interception.
