After tracking the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera for more than two weeks, the United States has apprehended it in the North Atlantic Ocean. There have been reports that Moscow tried to protect the ship by using naval forces as an escort.

In a post on X, the US military's European Command verified the operation, claiming that the tanker was apprehended by the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense due to suspected violations of US sanctions.

"Today, the Department of War, the Justice Department, and @DHSgov announced that the M/V Bella 1 had been seized due to violations of US sanctions. After being tracked by USCGC Munro, the vessel was apprehended in the North Atlantic in accordance with a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court, the post stated on X.

"This seizure is in line with the @POTUS Proclamation that targets sanctioned vessels that pose a threat to Western Hemisphere security and stability." According to the statement, "DHS components carried out the operation with assistance from @DeptofWar, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland."

The development coincides with reports that Moscow attempted to protect the ship by escorting it with naval forces.

Originally known as Bella 1, the tanker has been connected to oil shipments from Venezuela that are subject to sanctions. It allegedly avoided a US maritime "blockade" targeted at these kinds of ships and repeatedly rejected the US Coast Guard's attempts to board it. Following the failure of these attempts, the ship embarked on a protracted journey across international waters.

It was renamed Marinera and reflagged under a Russian registry during this time, which greatly complicated the situation.

A significant layer of geopolitical complexity is introduced by the reflagging of Marinera under the Russian registry. Any attempt to apprehend a ship flying the Russian flag runs the risk of directly involving Moscow in disagreements over the application of sanctions.

Russia has continuously denounced US sanctions as unlawful and has deepened its economic and political ties with Venezuela. Additionally, it has issued a warning about interfering with ships flying the Russian flag.