US seizes 'Russian' oil tanker supported by UK forces as Kremlin condemns secret operation

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker with the support of the UK military.

The Ministry of Defence said the Bella 1 / Marinera vessel on its way to Russia was 'initially flying a false flag' and then 'turned off its transponders while at sea and sought to reflag while being pursued, indicating its nefarious links to global sanctions evasion'.

"Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia," said UK Defence Secretary John Healey.

"This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting."

Healey revealed that the ship 'is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine'.

"The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability – making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," he said.

A senior politician from Vladimir Putin's party has criticised the operation and called it an act of 'outright piracy'.

Moscow has since demanded 'humane and dignified treatment' of the Russians on board the Marinera, according to state news agency TASS.

It added that the US shouldn't stop their 'prompt return' to their homeland.

Russia's transport ministry confirmed the operation in a statement: "Today, at approximately 3:00 PM Moscow time, the vessel was boarded by US Navy forces in the high seas outside the territorial waters of any state.

"Contact with the vessel was lost.

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

Meanwhile, US Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, credited 'President Trump's bold and visionary leadership' for the efforts.

"The heroic crew of the USCGC Munro pursued this vessel across the high seas and through treacherous storms— keeping diligent watch, and protecting our country with the determination and patriotism that make Americans proud. These brave men and women deserve our nation’s thanks for their selfless devotion to duty," she said on X.

"The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide.

"We will never relent in our mission to protect the American people and disrupt the funding of narco terrorism wherever we find it, period."

She called it 'our country’s greatest fighting force at their best'.