Moscow Voices Alarm Over U.S. Tracking of Sanctioned Oil Tanker

(MENAFN) Russia has expressed growing alarm over American military surveillance of a Russian-flagged oil tanker operating in international waters thousands of kilometers from U.S. territory, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.

The vessel, identified as the "Marinera," has been under continuous monitoring by a U.S. Coast Guard ship for multiple days despite its location roughly 4,000 kilometers from American shores, ministry officials confirmed.

Moscow is tracking the situation "with concern due to the abnormal attention being paid to the vessel by the United States," the ministry stated to media, while urging Western nations that profess support for maritime freedom to "start implementing this principle with themselves."

U.S. media outlets have reported that "Marinera"—previously operating under the name "Bella I"—currently faces American sanctions.

The tanker had intended to take on crude oil cargo in Venezuela but was prevented from docking due to Washington's enforcement measures. Following the U.S. Coast Guard tracking operation in December, the vessel underwent a transformation: its crew painted the Russian flag across the hull, adopted the new designation "Marinera," and switched its registration to Russia while still empty.

In late December, Moscow delivered a formal diplomatic note to Washington, insisting that surveillance operations against the tanker be terminated immediately.

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