UPDATED 12:12 PM MST! Russia responds after US seized two Venezuelan oil tankers in Europe and the Caribbean

Date: January 7, 2026

Source: Daily Mail

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The United States has seized a tanker linked to Russia off the coast of Europe and a second vessel in the Caribbean in an escalation of the enforcement of the Venezuela oil blockade.

Dramatic footage showed American special forces boarding the M/V Bella 1 in the Northern Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks in an operation inflaming tensions with Moscow.

The Coast Guard also captured a second vessel - the Motor Tanker Sophia - off the coast of the Caribbean in the coordinated operation on Wednesday morning.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put the world on notice by saying that the blockade of Venezuelan oil is in full effect, and said no ship is safe anywhere in the world.

The Russian Transport Ministry then responded by saying: 'no state has the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other countries' jurisdictions.' It added that US forces boarded the Marinera at 3pm Moscow time, where communications were shortly lost with the vessel after.

Donald Trump appears to have dismissed the threat of Vladimir Putin's forces lurking nearby, including reports of a submarine.

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Russia slams use of 'force' against tanker - says contact with vessel has been lost

Russia’s Ministry of Transport said that it lost contact with the tanker seized by the US in the North Atlantic as American troops boarded the ship.

The ministry said on December 24, the tanker 'received a temporary permit to fly the Russian Federation flag, issued in accordance with Russian law and international law.'

Before the seizure, Russia's Foreign Ministry said that it was 'following with concern the anomalous situation that has developed around the Russian oil tanker Marinera.'

As US troops took over the ship, the transport ministry said the ship was 'outside the territorial waters of any state' and 'contact with the vessel was lost.'

Immediately after, Russian officials cited the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, noting, 'No state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.'

UK provided support for US oil tanker seizure

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that British troops provided support for the US oil tanker seizure in the North Atlantic.

'The UK has provided enabling support to the United States at their request to interdict the vessel Bella 1 today,' the ministry said.

'UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a US request for assistance. RFA Tideforce provided support for US forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air.

'The UK and US defense and security relationship is the deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support in full compliance with international law.'

Hal Turner Analysis

The seizure of the tanker won't just deprive Russia of a large-tonnage vessel. The consequences could be much more dire.

When Russia shows weakness, an enemy won’t just stop at seizure of a tanker, expect huge escalation on all fronts including in Ukraine.

Talks are currently ongoing between Moscow and Washington.  The "seized" vessel still remains at sea.

The Russian Ministry of Transport made the statement above referencing "International law" but I'd call that BS. The US has made it clear through actions no such laws exist.

The world is beginning to chime-in:

The only meaningful response Russia has to the US seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker on the high seas, flying a Russian flag and operating under Russian escort, is to mirror the Iranian playbook. Find a tanker carrying oil to the United States and seize it. Power respects…— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) January 7, 2026

1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea: “No state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.”

UH OH!

So called “peace deal” was impossible from the very beginning. The pure waste of time. Russia is morally prepared now to radical full fledged war with the West.— Alexander Dugin (@AGDugin) January 7, 2026