(Adnkronos) – The United States has decided to release two Russian crew members of the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera, seized by Washington in the North Atlantic on suspicion of operating to circumvent sanctions against Venezuela. This was announced by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
“In response to our request – a statement reads – US President Donald Trump has decided to release two Russian citizens aboard the tanker Marinera, detained by the United States during an operation in the North Atlantic. We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership.”
A rusty tanker, now called Marinera, has recently become the center of a geopolitical case involving Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. But why? The Guardian tried to shed light on the matter, stating that the vessel is suspected of being part of the so-called ‘Shadow Fleets’ used by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to circumvent Western sanctions.
The ship, over 20 years old and without an oil cargo at the time of the events, was sailing in the Atlantic when it attracted the attention of British authorities. The Guardian reports that UK intelligence services had long tracked its movements, suspicious of frequent flag changes and opaque ownership structure.
According to reconstructions by the British newspaper, the Marinera was not carrying crude oil, an element that strengthened suspicions of a possible use other than commercial. Among the hypotheses evaluated was that of transporting Russian weapons or military equipment, potentially destined for third countries or Moscow’s allied networks. A suspicion that has not found official confirmation, but which has contributed to increasing the alert.
The ship is also reportedly linked to a network of tankers and cargo ships used to evade Western controls, often operating without recognized insurance, with underpaid crews and in precarious safety conditions. The Guardian emphasizes how these fleets represent an essential tool for Moscow in maintaining logistical and financial flows despite sanctions.
