In a major diplomatic flare-up, Russia has launched a sharp accusation against the United States, labelling the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in international waters as an unlawful act that threatens to worsen already strained relations between the two powers.
Moscow's Stern Accusation and Demand
The Russian foreign ministry, in an official statement issued on Thursday, condemned the actions of US forces who seized the tanker Marinera on January 7. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on Washington to respect established principles of international maritime law and to immediately halt its actions against the Marinera and other civilian vessels on the high seas.
The statement expressed grave concern, stating, "Washington's readiness to provoke acute international crises, including in Russian-American relations, which are already severely strained, is both regrettable and alarming." Russia asserted that the vessel, previously known as Bella 1, had been legally authorised to sail under the Russian flag on December 24 and was peacefully transiting the North Atlantic towards a Russian port.
Violation of Maritime Law and Risks of Escalation
Moscow argued that the seizure constitutes a blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ministry emphasised that only the flag state—in this case, Russia—has exclusive jurisdiction over its vessels on the high seas. It clarified that stopping a ship is permitted only in exceptional cases like suspected piracy, which did not apply to the Marinera.
The Russian statement warned of dangerous consequences:"The Marinera incident can only lead to a further escalation of military-political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region and a dangerous lowering of the threshold for using force against civilian shipping." It further cautioned that other actors, encouraged by the US example, might feel emboldened to take similar reckless actions.
Russia also implicated the United Kingdom in the operation, claiming British authorities had acknowledged their role in assisting the US military in the North Atlantic. Concerns were raised for the safety of the multinational crew and potential environmental risks, as the seizure was conducted in severe weather conditions.
US Justification and Russia's Rejection
The US action followed a weeks-long pursuit by the US Coast Guard. US officials stated the operation was executed under a federal court warrant for violations of American sanctions. The tanker had been sanctioned in 2024 for being part of a "shadow fleet" moving oil linked to Iran and Venezuela.
Russia categorically rejected the US reference to its domestic sanctions, stating that unilateral sanctions have no legal foundation under international law and cannot justify the seizure of vessels. It also dismissed US suggestions about controlling Venezuela's resources as "profoundly cynical" and rejected such "neo-colonial ambitions."
Echoing the foreign ministry, Russia's Transport Ministry also condemned the act on Wednesday, stressing that no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under another country's jurisdiction. Contact with the Marinera was lost after it was boarded by US naval forces roughly 190 miles south of Iceland.
In a social media post on platform X, the Russian foreign ministry reiterated its demand: "We call on Washington to immediately cease its unlawful actions... We reiterate our demand that the US ensure appropriate treatment of the Russian citizens on board." The incident marks a significant new friction point in an already troubled geopolitical relationship.
