Russia on Wednesday accused the United States of violating international maritime law. The dispute followed the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. A senior Russian lawmaker called the move “outright piracy.”

Russia’s Transport Ministry said US naval forces boarded the tanker near Iceland. After that, authorities lost contact with the vessel. The tanker is named Marinera.

The seizure took place during US efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.

Moscow Cites Law of the Sea

Russia said the US action broke global maritime rules. It pointed to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The treaty protects freedom of navigation in international waters.

“In accordance with the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement, citing state news agency TASS.

Russia Demands Protection for Crew

Russia said Russian citizens were on board the tanker. It demanded that the United States treat the crew properly. It also asked for their early return home.

“Given incoming information about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the United States ensure humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not impede their speedy return to their homeland,” the ministry was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency TASS.

The ministry did not reveal how many Russians were on board.

Tanker Linked to Venezuelan Oil

US forces had followed the tanker from the Venezuelan coast. The vessel earlier used the name Bella-1. It had slipped past a US maritime blockade in the Caribbean.

That blockade targets oil tankers under sanctions. It forms part of broader US pressure on Venezuela.

US Action Escalates Pressure

The tanker seizure followed recent US action against Caracas. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered US special forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The plan aimed to bring him to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Maduro has denied the accusations.

Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas strongly criticised the move.

“After a ‘law enforcement operation’ that killed several dozen people in Venezuela, the US has engaged in outright piracy on the high seas,” Reuters quoted Andrei Klishas, a lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, as writing on Telegram.

US Officials Confirm Operation

Two US officials spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. They said the US Coast Guard and the military carried out the operation. They added that Russian military vessels were nearby. These included a submarine. However, no confrontation occurred between the two sides.

Strained US–Russia Ties

Relations between Moscow and Washington worsened after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Ties fell to their lowest level since the Cold War.

Relations improved slightly after Trump began his second term. He opened talks with President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine conflict.

Military incidents remain rare. In March 2023, Russian fighter jets intercepted a US drone. The drone later crashed into the Black Sea. Washington warned about escalation risks at the time.

Political Changes in Venezuela

Maduro became the second close Russian ally to lose power in just over a year. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was removed in December 2024.

Russia now backs Delcy Rodríguez. She took oath on Monday as Venezuela’s interim president. Moscow said it would support Caracas against “blatant neocolonial threats and foreign armed aggression.”

President Vladimir Putin has not commented on the tanker seizure. Russia remains in an extended New Year holiday period.