Russia has dispatched a submarine to escort the oil tanker Bella 1, which is under U.S. sanctions and has been pursued by American authorities off the coast of Ireland. The vessel, now approximately 400 kilometers from Ireland’s west coast, was previously able to evade a U.S. naval blockade in December 2023 and successfully countered a boarding attempt by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Bella 1 changed its registration from Guyana to Russia in late December, and the move appears to have been a strategic maneuver to avoid U.S. seizure. According to The Wall Street Journal, a U.S. official confirmed that Russia has sent a submarine along with other naval assets to protect the tanker, indicating escalating tensions between the two nations.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the situation, stating that it is closely monitoring developments regarding the Bella 1. The tanker seems to be navigating towards the Russian port of Murmansk through the Barents Sea, although it may also enter Norwegian territorial waters.
Washington remains intent on seizing the tanker, even though it is empty. The Bella 1 failed to reach Venezuela and load crude oil, as planned by its crew. U.S. surveillance planes, based at an RAF facility in Suffolk, have reportedly been tracking the vessel, which has been renamed the Marinera in recent days.
Images circulating on social media show U.S. troops practicing boarding maneuvers along the coast, raising speculation about a potential second attempt to seize the tanker. British officials are reportedly concerned that an attempt to capture the vessel could provoke a retaliatory response from Russia. At the same time, they are wary of alienating the U.S. by withholding support.
The U.S. recently apprehended two other oil tankers, the Skipper and the Centuries, near Venezuela, which were deemed part of a “shadow fleet” transporting oil in violation of sanctions. President Donald Trump has reiterated that the naval blockade of Venezuela will remain in effect, maintaining a military presence in the Caribbean even after the recent capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
On Monday, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, condemned Trump’s actions as an “act of armed aggression” and accused the U.S. of illegal conduct. The international community continues to watch these developments closely, as they signal a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United States.
