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- The US military said on Wednesday that American forces seized an oil tanker in the Atlantic.
- The tanker evaded a US naval blockade of sanctioned vessels near Venezuela last month.
- It then fled into the Atlantic, setting in motion a two-week pursuit by the US.
The US military said on Wednesday that American forces finally seized a Russia-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing the vessel across the ocean in a highly unusual chase.
The tanker, originally called the Bella 1, evaded a US naval blockade of sanctioned vessels near Venezuela last month, avoiding attempts by the American military to board the vessel.
The ship, described by officials as a "dark fleet" tanker operating in violation of sanctions, then fled into the Atlantic, setting off a dramatic two-week chase. It changed its name to Marinera and reflagged, painting the Russian tricolor on the ship's hull.
US European Command said in a statement on Wednesday that the oil tanker was seized "pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court" after it was tracked by the US Coast Guard cutter Munro.
The seizure supports the Trump administration's efforts to target "sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere," the military said.
It added that the seizure operation was executed by the Department of Homeland Security with support from the Pentagon, "showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland."
Flight-tracking data reviewed by Business Insider revealed a flurry of US military aircraft were airborne either shortly before or during the operation.
At least three Pilatus U-28A Draco aircraft, planes used by US Air Force Special Operations Command for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, were observed flying north of Scotland.
An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft and a US Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft — the latter of which specializes in submarine-hunting missions and maritime patrol — took off from a base in southeastern England and were seen flying off Scotland's northwestern coast.
It's unclear if any other nations participated in the effort to seize the tanker or if the US acted alone. A NATO official said earlier that the alliance was uninvolved in any active operations involving the ship.
"NATO tracks the activities of shadow fleet vessels closely to enhance maritime situational awareness," an alliance official told Business Insider. "However, there is no current involvement by NATO's standing naval forces in these operations."
Russian state-run broadcaster RT published photographs showing a helicopter near the Marinera, adding that military forces believed to be American were attempting to board the tanker. Business Insider could not independently verify the details of the images.
Amid reports that the US was attempting to seize the tanker, Russia's foreign ministry said it was monitoring what it called an "abnormal" situation, the state-run domestic news agency RIA Novosti said.
Several US media outlets reported that Russia had dispatched naval forces to escort the tanker as it approached the waters between the UK and Iceland. It appears, however, that the US reached the vessel first.
In a social media post after the US operation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said "the blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world."
Meanwhile, the US military announced on Wednesday that it seized another vessel — "a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker" — in the Caribbean Sea.
US Southern Command said the vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and "conducting illicit activities." American forces are escorting it to the US.
