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

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.

"In accordance with the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," the ministry said according to Reuters. Russia's Foreign Ministry demanded the "humane and decent treatment" of Russian crew members and their prompt return home.

Andrei Klishas, a senior lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, described the seizure as "outright piracy on the high seas," writing on Telegram that the operation followed a U.S. "law enforcement operation" in Venezuela that resulted in dozens of deaths, as Reuters also reports.

Two U.S. officials told the outlet that the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard with support from the U.S. military. Russian naval assets, including a submarine, were in the general vicinity, but no confrontation occurred.

Hours later, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed it had provided "enabling support" to the interception, including basing, aerial surveillance, and logistical assistance. Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation was conducted "in full compliance with international law" and aimed at disrupting sanctions evasion.

"This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion," Healey later said through an official statement, adding that the vessel had turned off its transponders, attempted to reflag while at sea, and had long been linked to illicit oil trafficking. He said the action was part of broader efforts to counter "shadow fleet activity."

The seizure is part of a U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuela that intensified after President Donald Trump ordered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Washington has since enforced a global blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments.

U.S. European Command said the Marinera was seized under a federal court warrant after being tracked for weeks. The U.S. also announced the apprehension of another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean.

Russia has backed Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in this week as Venezuela's interim leader, and has warned against what it calls "foreign armed aggression." President Vladimir Putin has not yet commented publicly on the tanker seizure.