The U.S. has seized two more tankers it says belong to the so-called “shadow fleet” engaged in shipping oil on behalf of Russia, Iran and Venezuela. The Pentagon announced the seizure of tanker M/T Sophia in the Caribbean early this morning where it was allegedly “conducting illicit activities.” U.S. European Command also announced the seizure in the North Atlantic of the Russian-registered Marinera, known until a few days ago as the Bella 1, “for violations of U.S. sanctions.” The U.S. Coast Guard had been pursuing the Bella 1/Marinera since mid-December.
Russian Ministry of Transportation said in a statement:
“On December 24, 2025, the ship Marinera received a temporary permit to sail under the state flag of the Russian Federation, issued on the basis of Russian legislation and international law.
“Today, at about 15:00 Moscow time, U.S. naval forces boarded a ship on the high seas outside the territorial waters of any state, and contact with the ship was lost.
“In accordance with the norms of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, freedom of navigation applies in the waters on the high seas and no state has the right to use force against ships duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”
U.S. forces reportedly rappelled onboard the Marinera from helicopters, with support from nearby air units and gunships provided by the U.S. and U.K. Unconfirmed reports state that a Russian submarine had been deployed to escort the tanker, but had not arrived by the time of the seizure.
