Britain says it supported US seizure of Russian‑flagged tanker

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it provided military help to US forces that seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker north‑west of Britain and Ireland. Defence secretary John Healey said the UK allowed US aircraft to use bases to prepare for and carry out the mission, while the RAF provided extra surveillance and the navy refuelled ships during the final capture.

The ministry initially argued the operation was legal because the vessel, the Marinera, had previously been placed under US sanctions when it was known as the Bella 1. Healey told MPs the tanker had changed its name “five times in the last five years” and had been falsely flying the flag of Guyana when it was called Bella 1.

He said a stateless vessel “may be lawfully intercepted and subjected to the law of the interdicting state”, while also describing the ship as part “of an increasing web of shadow shipping that fuels and funds instability” and saying “Russia operates a vast shadow fleet of its own to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine”.

The UK said it assisted at the request of the US and that British forces only played a supporting role, with no British personnel taking part in the boarding.

Key Topics

World, Marinera, John Healey, Us Forces, Rfa Tideforce, Hezbollah