Russian submarine to protect tanker the US wanted to seize
Russia has deployed a submarine and other naval vessels to escort the tanker Mariner, which the Wall Street Journal reports is trying to evade a US blockade near Venezuela. The vessel, formerly known as the Bella 1, has faced U.S. pursuit since December.
That followed an attempt by the US Coast Guard to detain it for sanctioned oil shipments.
The Marinera has changed its name and registration - it is currently registered under the Russian flag. Moscow has asked Washington to end its crackdown on the vessel, describing the situation as worrying. The Russian state news agency RIA reported this.
The US Southern Command has announced that it is ready to cooperate with other government agencies in monitoring the sanctioned ships. However, it did not directly confirm reports of a Russian submarine or a specific tanker incident.
According to AIS positioning data, the Marinera is currently in the eastern Atlantic, approximately 300 miles south of Iceland, heading towards the North Sea.
The situation is unfolding at a time when US President Donald Trump has announced a plan to process and sell 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
(reuters, max)