Source The Hindu
LONDON/MOSCOW — Three Indian nationals are among the 28 crew members of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized by United States forces in the North Atlantic, according to reports from Russian state media and maritime authorities.
The vessel, identified as the Marinera (formerly known as the Bella 1), was intercepted on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, following what U.S. officials described as a “weeks-long pursuit” across the Caribbean and Atlantic waters.
The Seizure and Allegations
The U.S. Coast Guard and military personnel reportedly boarded the tanker under a federal court warrant. Washington alleges the vessel is part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan oil, bypassing international blockades.
According to the U.S. European Command, the Marinera had allegedly attempted to evade capture by:
Turning off its maritime transponders.
Changing its name and re-flagging during the pursuit.
Resisting initial attempts by the U.S. Coast Guard to board the ship.
Crew Details
Data released by Russia Today (RT) and confirmed by the Russian Transport Ministry indicates a multinational crew of 28 individuals was on board at the time of the seizure:
17 Ukrainians
6 Georgians
3 Indians
2 Russians (including the ship’s captain)
While the identities of the three Indian seafarers have not been made public, their presence has added a new diplomatic layer to the escalating tension between Washington and Moscow.
Russia Condemns “Piracy”
Moscow has reacted with fury, with senior lawmakers and the Foreign Ministry describing the operation as “outright piracy” and a “gross violation of international maritime law.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the vessel was a civilian tanker peacefully transiting international waters and that the U.S. had been repeatedly informed of its civilian status. “We demand the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of the crew and not hinder their speedy return to their homeland,” the ministry said in a statement.
Current Status
The Marinera is currently being escorted to a U.S. port. As of Friday, January 9, the Indian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the welfare or legal status of the three Indian nationals detained.
The incident marks one of the few recent instances where the U.S. military has directly seized a Russian-flagged civilian vessel on the high seas, highlighting the intensifying enforcement of global energy sanctions.
