The ship had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 on allegations of smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
Russian authorities have confirmed that three crew members of the oil tanker that was seized by the US military are Indian nationals. The crew of Bella 1, which was later renamed as Marinera, also consisted of 17 Ukrainian citizens, six Georgian citizens, and two Russian citizens.
Russia demands early release of crew
RT reported that Russia has strongly objected to the threat of prosecution of the tanker’s crew on US soil. Russian diplomats have also demanded that the crew be treated humanely and be allowed to return to their home countries as soon as possible.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement carried by Russia’s state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti, demanded that “the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of them, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not hinder their speedy return to their homeland.”
A senior Russian lawmaker, Andrei Klishas, decried the US action as “blatant piracy.”
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker
The oil tanker was intercepted for alleged “violation of US sanctions” regarding the export of Venezuelan oil.
🇺🇸⚡⚡🇷🇺 U.S. Coast Guard and special forces, successfully boarded the Russian-flagged, oil tanker Marinera (ex Bella1) in the North Atlantic, despite Russia deploying a submarine and warships near the tanker. pic.twitter.com/NZbxKjXUKy
The vessel had been owned by a Russian company since late December.
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Temporary permit to fly Russian flag
According to the Russian Transport Ministry, “On December 24, 2025, the Marinera received a temporary permit to fly the Russian flag.”
In a statement on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed “serious concern in connection with the unlawful forcible action against the Marinera oil tanker conducted by the US armed forces on January 7.”
According to officials, the vessel was granted the right to fly the Russian flag “in accordance with the norms of international and Russian law.”
‘Violations of US sanctions’
The US European Command said on social media that the merchant vessel Bella 1 was seized in the North Atlantic for “violations of US sanctions.”
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The ship had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 on allegations of smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
The US had been pursuing the tanker since last month after it tried to evade a blockade on sanctioned oil vessels around Venezuela.
The Bella 1 had been cruising across the Atlantic, nearing the Caribbean on December 15 when it abruptly turned and headed north, toward Europe.
The change in direction came days after the first US tanker seizure of a ship on December 10, after it had left Venezuela carrying oil.
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When the US Coast Guard tried to board the Bella 1, it fled.
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The ship had been sanctioned by the US in 2024 on allegations of smuggling cargo for a company linked to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. 
