Russian Foreign Ministry Condemns US “Forcible Seizure” of Oil Tanker Marinera

Moscow, January 9 – Russia has issued a strong statement condemning the actions of the United States Armed Forces in intercepting and seizing the civilian oil tanker ‘MT Marinera’, which was flying the Russian flag, in international waters.

According to the statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vessel, which has been authorized to fly the Russian flag since December 24 in accordance with international and national law, was on a peaceful transit through international waters of the North Atlantic en route to a Russian port. The statement notes, “US authorities were repeatedly provided with reliable information, including through official communications with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirming the vessel’s Russian registration and its civilian, non-military status.”

The Foreign Ministry characterized this action as a gross violation of fundamental principles of international maritime law — specifically the jurisdiction of the flag state and the freedom of navigation on the high seas. The statement emphasized, “Under these circumstances, the boarding and de facto seizure of a civilian vessel on the high seas by US military personnel, and the detention of its crew, can only be viewed as a gross violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law and the freedom of navigation.”

Russia described this move as based on a flawed reference to US “unilateral sanctions legislation” and lacking foundation in international law, stating that it “demonstrates Washington’s disregard for the accepted norms of international maritime navigation.”

The Foreign Ministry warned that this incident risks escalating tensions, stating, “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.”

Russia has called on the United States to immediately cease its “unlawful actions,” release the vessel and its multinational crew, and return to the established norms of international maritime law.

Background: The U.S. Coast Guard has taken control of the tanker, alleging it was involved in oil shipments to Venezuela, which is under U.S. sanctions. Russia has dismissed this action as part of Washington’s “neo-colonial ambitions.”