Russia sends submarine to escort US-targeted tanker near Venezuela: Reports
What's the story
A Venezuela-linked oil tanker, part of the so-called "dark fleet," has reportedly evaded the United States Coast Guard by reflagging to Russia. The vessel, formerly known as 'Bella 1' and now named 'Marinera,' was spotted off the coast of Ireland after escaping US interception in December. The United States, United Kingdom, France and Ireland have since launched aerial surveillance on the ship, The Times reported.
Naval escort
Russia deploys submarine to escort evading tanker
In a bid to protect the vessel, Russia has deployed a submarine and naval assets. The Russian state-controlled foreign media outlet RT released a video allegedly showing a US Coast Guard cutter trailing the tanker. The vessel had been under US Treasury sanctions since June 2024 for carrying illicit oil cargoes linked to Hezbollah-connected companies.
Rising tensions
US forces intensify pursuit of tanker amid Venezuela tensions
US forces have been pursuing the vessel since December as part of a crackdown on Venezuelan oil shipments. This comes after recent strikes in Venezuela under the Trump administration and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York court on Monday, claiming he was a "prisoner of war."
Diplomatic developments
Venezuela's military personnel plans and Russia's diplomatic request
Intelligence sources revealed that Venezuela had considered placing military personnel on oil tankers disguised as civilians to evade US blockades. According to Reuters, Russia formally asked the United States to stop pursuing the vessel on January 1. Two people familiar with the matter said Moscow had made the diplomatic appeal while US forces tracked the vessel for about two weeks in the Atlantic.
Industry trend
'Dark fleet' trend: Tankers reflagging to Russia
The vessel Marinera is not an isolated case. Windward, an AI maritime analytics firm, noted that over the past six months, several Western-sanctioned tankers have reflagged to Russia for protection against drone strikes and vessel seizures. Two other Western-sanctioned tankers were also identified by Windward as having reflagged to Russia recently.