Russia Says U.S. Seizure of Tanker Violated Maritime Law, Local Lawmaker Calls it 'Outright Piracy'

Seizure of the M/V Bella 1 by US Naval Forces (Credit: U.S. European Command's official X account)

Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of violating international maritime law after U.S. forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, an operation the United Kingdom confirmed it had supported at Washington's request.

Russia's Transport Ministry said contact was lost with the vessel — now known as the Marinera — after U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland. The ship had previously operated under the name Bella 1 and had evaded a U.S. maritime blockade targeting Venezuelan oil exports.