The Russia-flagged oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, which was seized by the US forces on Saturday had three Indian nationals among its crew, according to a report by Russia Today.
As per the report, the vessal had 28-member crew, including six citizens of Georgia, 17 of Ukraine, three of India and two Russians.
Russia has reportedly asked the US to ensure proper treatment of all the crew members detained after the seizure of the vessel and that they be allowed to return home.
Reacting to the US actions, the Russian Transport Ministry had said that the seizure of the vessel was a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which ensures freedom of navigation in international waters.
Earlier on Saturday, the US Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security seized a sanctioned Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic following a dramatic, week-long pursuit.
“The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar, today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” the US European Command had said on X.
According to the US European Command, the seizure supported US President Donald Trump’s national security policy of “targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.”
US forces had been pursuing the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, for more than a week after it reportedly evaded a US blockade in the Caribbean.
During the pursuit, the captain reportedly changed the vessel’s name to Marinera and obtained temporary registration under the Russian flag.
The ship is alleged to have violated US sanctions by transporting Iranian oil, even though it had historically carried Venezuelan crude. It was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Subsequently, a warrant was issued by a US federal court and on that basis that, it was seized by the US forces. It has now been handed over to law enforcement agencies.