Bella 1 crew painted Russian flag while tanker fled U.S. forces, officials say

Two American officials said the crew of the oil tanker Bella 1 painted a Russian flag on the side of the vessel while fleeing U.S. forces in the Atlantic Ocean, apparently to claim Russian protection. The Coast Guard tried to intercept Bella 1 on Dec. 21 in the Caribbean Sea as it sailed toward Venezuela to pick up oil, U.S.

officials said, and the ship did not comply with boarding attempts. The tanker has been under U.S. sanctions since last year for transporting Iranian oil, which federal authorities have said was sold to finance terrorism. Officials said the vessel’s location transponder has not been on since Dec.

17, and the ship appears to have recently changed course northwest, possibly toward Greenland or Iceland. It is not believed to be carrying cargo, and one official said most of the crew are from Russia, India and Ukraine. Authorities said they have obtained a seizure warrant based on the ship’s prior involvement in the Iranian oil trade and that Bella 1 is part of a so‑called ghost fleet moving oil in violation of sanctions.

The White House, the Pentagon and the Homeland Security Department declined to comment, and the Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Key Topics

World, Venezuela, Russia, U.s. Coast Guard, Iranian Oil, Nicolás Maduro