The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the UK has provided “enabling support” to the US during its operation to seize the Marinera oil tanker, originally known as the Bella-1.
It disclosed in a statement that UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to US military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a US. request for assistance.
The RFA Tideforce provided support for US forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the Royal Armed Forces provided surveillance support from the air.
The statement added that the UK and US defence and security relationship is the “deepest in the world and the UK provided enabling support in full compliance with international law.”
UK Defence Secretary, John Healey hailed the UK armed force’s “skill and professionalism,” while describing the action as “part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting.”
“This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine.”
John Healey
He added that the UK will continue to step up its action against shadow fleet activity to protect its national security, economy, and global stability, “making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
He also hailed US-UK defence ties, saying that the US is the “UK’s closest defence and security partner.”
“The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice.”
John Healey
The UK Ministry of Defence added that the ship 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.”
It stated that recent assessments show that the Bella 1 has been involved in illegal activity, linked to international terrorism and crime including Hezbollah, and “part of the web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe.”
Moreso, it asserted that the Russian flagging of the vessel shows their role “in this interconnected shadow activity we are seeing across the world, which threatens our national security, harms our economy and undermines global security.”
It stressed that deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK, adding that to date, sanctions have been imposed on 520 Russian shadow fleet vessels.
Russia Urges Humane Treatment Of Citizens Aboard Marinera
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry demanded that the US ensure “humane and proper treatment of Russian citizens aboard the Marinera,” calling for their rights and interests to be observed.
It added that the US must not hamper their soonest return to Russia.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that it is closely following reports of US forces boarding the Russian-flagged Marinera tanker.
Russia declared the seizure a violation of international law with one senior lawmaker calling it “piracy.”
The Russian transport ministry said that the Marinera was boarded by the US Navy at approximately 12pm GMT, after which they lost contact with the boat, according to state media.
The vessel had been authorised to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, 2025.
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