Russia has issued a concerning threat of World War Three following the US seizure of the Marinera oil tanker. The operation to capture the Venezuelan-linked vessel, previously known as the Bella 1, was supported by RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic. The tanker was intercepted as it traveled northeast between Iceland and Scotland, despite being monitored by Russian forces.
In response to the US-British operation, Russian lawmaker Alexei Zhuravlev called for aggressive action, suggesting the use of torpedoes to attack and sink American Coast Guard boats. He condemned the seizure as an act of piracy by the armed forces of the US Navy, emphasizing that the tanker was sailing under the Russian flag, equating it to an infringement on Russian territory. Zhuravlev asserted that a swift and firm response, potentially involving nuclear weapons, was necessary according to Russian military doctrine.
Other Russian officials, including Deputy Chairman of the Russian parliament’s defense committee, criticized the US actions. Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev proposed imposing sanctions on ships heading to Black Sea ports and even suggested the possibility of stopping, inspecting, and sinking such vessels. He advocated for utilizing nuclear-capable missile systems to target Western missile production facilities.
The Defense Secretary justified the tanker seizure, citing its stateless status and violation of sanctions on Iran. The vessel, previously involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, was accused of funding terrorism and instability worldwide. Despite attempts to evade capture by changing its name and adopting the Russian flag, the Marinera was intercepted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry argued that the seizure violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, highlighting that the ship had been granted a temporary permit to sail under the Russian Federation flag. Prior to the seizure, Kremlin advisors warned that any hostile actions against Russia, including the interception of the Marinera, could escalate tensions between Russia and the US to a critical or crisis level.
As the situation unfolds, tensions between Russia and the US continue to escalate, raising concerns about the potential for further conflict.