Russia says US seizure of oil tanker violates maritime law

The country says contact with the vessel, the Marinera, has been lost

A handout image of the ship Marinera (Ex-Bella 1) seen in the distance, released on Jan 7, 2026. US EUROPEAN COMMAND via X/Handout via REUTERS

Russia said on Wednesday that the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic was a violation of maritime law.

"In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," the transport ministry said in a statement.

It said contact with the vessel, the Marinera, had been lost after U.S. naval forces boarded it.