Russia said that no country has the right to use force against registered vessels, stressing the need to respect international law governing freedom of navigation and maritime security. Russian officials warned that any use of force against civilian ships constitutes a clear violation of international legal norms and maritime conventions.
The statement came as Moscow confirmed that communication had been lost with a Russian-flagged oil tanker while it was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Russian authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant bodies to determine the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact and to ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew. No further details were provided on the tanker’s exact location or the cause of the communication failure.
The developments follow an announcement by the United States that it had detained a Russian oil tanker north of the Atlantic Ocean as part of its enforcement actions against vessels linked to Venezuela. U.S. European Command said the tanker, identified as Bella 1, was seized in coordination between the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions.
American and Russian media reported that U.S. forces carried out the operation after Russia sent naval vessels to escort the tanker. Reports said U.S. surveillance aircraft tracked the ship for several days as it moved northeast, with the tanker’s crew later painting the Russian flag on its hull to signal that it was sailing under Russian protection.
The tanker had been sanctioned by the United States in 2024 for allegedly operating as part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport oil outside international regulations. A previous attempt by the U.S. Coast Guard to board the vessel near Venezuela last month failed after the ship maneuvered away and escaped.
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