Lives of Indian Crew Members at Risk as Russia Condemns US Seizure of Russian Oil Tanker

Moscow: The lives of three Indian nationals, along with other crew members aboard a Russian oil tanker seized by the United States, are now reportedly at risk, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned.

On the morning of January 7, the US Coast Guard intercepted the Russian tanker Marinera in international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean near the Venezuelan coast. The vessel, previously operating under the name Bela 1, had 28 crew members on board, including 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, two Russians, and three Indians. All crew members have been taken into US custody, and authorities announced that criminal charges would be filed against them.

The United States alleged that the tanker was transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of international sanctions and claimed that the vessel had deliberately flown a Russian flag to evade detection. Russia rejected these allegations, stating that the Marinera was temporarily authorized to sail under the Russian flag on December 24 in accordance with Russian and international law. At the time of the seizure, the tanker was reportedly en route to a Russian port and was peacefully navigating international waters.

Violation of International Law

The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the seizure, calling it a breach of international maritime law. According to Russia, vessels in international waters can only be stopped or inspected under very limited circumstances—such as suspected piracy or human trafficking—which did not apply to the Marinera. The US did not have Russia’s consent to board or seize the vessel. Moscow formally protested the US Coast Guard’s pursuit and seizure of the tanker.

Crew Safety and Regional Tensions

Russia warned that the seizure endangers the lives and well-being of the tanker’s multinational crew. The ministry also cautioned that such incidents could escalate military-political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region and dangerously lower the threshold for the use of force against civilian shipping.