Moscow says it is dealing with what it calls an anomalous situation in the North Atlantic which features a high-stakes maritime standoff involving a Russian-flagged oil tanker that Washington and its allies have been tracking for weeks.
BREAKING: US and Russia standoff in the Atlantic Ocean. The US military reportedly tried to encircle an oil vessel destined to Russia. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/inwq3ahDly
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) January 7, 2026
BREAKING NEWS: United States and Russia standoff in the Atlantic Ocean after the US military tried to round up an oil vessel destined to Russia. For more visit https://t.co/TS6YUmN424 pic.twitter.com/BsbAwUk0Mz
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 7, 2026
According to media reports, the US is making plans to try to intercept the oil tanker Marinera that Russia has claimed jurisdiction over. The tanker is said to be linked to a so-called “shadow fleet” of ships accused of dodging sanctions on oil exports.
Moscow says it is closely watching what it calls a troubling situation involving a Russian oil tanker in international waters.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it is, “really anxiously monitoring the anomalous situation around the Russian oil tanker Marinera,” which it says is currently located in the international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, sailing under the Russian state flag and operating in full compliance with international maritime law.
Despite this, Russian diplomats have drawn attention to what they describe as unmotivated and excessive interest from the American and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military forces. The Foreign Ministry says that a US Coast Guard vessel has been following the Marinera for several days.
Officials emphasize that the tanker remains roughly 4000kms away from the coast of the United States, raising questions about the justification for such close monitoring.
Moscow has stressed that freedom of navigation on the high seas is a fundamental principle of international law. The Foreign Ministry added that Western countries, which frequently declare their commitment to this principle, should begin by respecting it in practice.
Russian diplomats say they expect all parties to act responsibly and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in international waters.
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