NewKerala.com

Russia Sends Submarine to Escort Tanker in Tense US-Russia Atlantic Standoff

An empty oil tanker has become the focal point of a US-Russia maritime confrontation, with Russia sending naval assets including a submarine to escort it. The vessel, pursued by the US Coast Guard for over a fortnight, failed to load oil in Venezuela and steamed into the Atlantic. The US aims to crack down on a fleet of tankers ferrying illicit oil, including Russian black-market supplies. Both nations have issued statements of concern and readiness, with the tanker now sailing south of Iceland toward the North Sea.

Key Points: Russia Submarine Escorts Tanker in US Pursuit | Atlantic Face-Off

  • Russia deploys submarine as escort
  • US Coast Guard pursues empty tanker
  • Vessel evaded Venezuela oil load
  • Standoff over sanctions enforcement
  • Incident highlights black-market oil trade
2 min read

Tanker hanker: Russia sends submarine to escort tanker being pursued by US

Russia deploys a submarine to escort an empty oil tanker pursued by the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic, escalating tensions over sanctions enforcement.

"Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. - US Southern Command"

Washington DC, January 7

An empty oil tanker, formerly known as Bella 1, has become the latest point of a face-off between the US and Russia as the latter sent naval assets including a submarine to bring it back, as per a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday.

As per the WSJ report, Bella 1 has been trying to evade the US blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela for over a fortnight.

The vessel failed to dock in Venezuela and load with oil. Although the ship is empty, the US Coast Guard pursued it into the Atlantic in a bid to crack down on a fleet of tankers that ferry illicit oil around the world, including black-market oil sold by Russia, as reported by Wall Street Journal.

Earlier in December, the vessel's crew engaged in fisticuffs against the US law agencies who tried to board the vessel in December and steamed into the Atlantic. Russia has been concerned by U.S. seizures of tankers that ferry its oil around the world.

On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it was monitoring "with concern" the situation surrounding the tanker, according to state news agency RIA.

Meanwhile, the US military's Southern Command said in a post on X on Tuesday that it was ready to "stand against sanctioned vessels in the region.

"Always ready to serve: SOUTH COM remains ready to support our U.S Government agency partners in standing against sanctioned vessels and actors transiting through this region. Our sea services are vigilant, agile, and postured to track vessels of interest. When the call comes, we will be there," the US Southern Command said.

The US Coast Guard has continued to trail the ship into the Eastern Atlantic, where it is now sailing about 300 miles south of Iceland toward the North Sea, according to AIS positioning, WSJ reported.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The crew engaging in fisticuffs! 😲 Sounds like a scene from a movie. But on a serious note, this escalation is worrying. The Atlantic is far from our shores, but global tensions have a way of affecting everyone. Hope diplomacy prevails.
A
Arjun K
Interesting to see how this plays out. Russia is sending a strong signal that it won't let its oil trade be disrupted, sanctions or not. For India, which has been buying Russian oil, this is a reminder of the complex geopolitics we navigate. We must keep our options open and our imports diversified.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I think the US enforcement is necessary. Illicit oil sales fund regimes and activities that destabilize the world. If rules-based order breaks down, smaller nations suffer the most. India, with its growing global stature, should support lawful maritime enforcement.
V
Vikram M
Submarine for an empty tanker? What a waste of military resources by both sides. This is just political theatre. The real issue is the global energy market and sanctions that often hurt common people more than the regimes they target. Bharat should focus on becoming self-reliant in energy.
N
Nisha Z
Reminds me of the Cold War era brinkmanship. Not a good sign for 2024. As an Indian, my primary concern is whether this affects oil prices. Petrol is already so expensive! 🛢️ Hope our government has a contingency plan.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50