The US has seized a Russian-flagged tanker, Bella 1/Marinera, in the North Atlantic Ocean. The seizure was carried out by the US European Command and is believed to have been executed with support from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of War.
The vessel was seized after being tracked by USCGC Munro and pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court. The US claims that Bella 1/Marinera had violated U.S. sanctions, although the specifics of this claim are not yet clear.
Russia has responded to the seizure by accusing the US of breaking international law and violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A Russian government spokesperson was quoted as saying "no state has the right to use force against ships properly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
The incident comes after the US announced a new proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of another seizure of a Venezuela-linked tanker in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. The M/T Sophia was reportedly seized by US forces with support from DHS.
Footage broadcast by Russian state broadcaster Russia Today appears to show an MH-6 Little Bird helicopter tracking the vessel at sea. However, it is not yet clear if this footage shows an actual boarding attempt.
The incident has sparked concerns about the use of military force in enforcing international sanctions, and has raised questions about the role of the US in regulating global shipping.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the issue, tweeting that he "doubted Nato would be there for us if we really needed them," but insisted that "we will always be there for Nato, even if they won't be there for us."
The vessel was seized after being tracked by USCGC Munro and pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court. The US claims that Bella 1/Marinera had violated U.S. sanctions, although the specifics of this claim are not yet clear.
Russia has responded to the seizure by accusing the US of breaking international law and violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A Russian government spokesperson was quoted as saying "no state has the right to use force against ships properly registered in the jurisdictions of other states."
The incident comes after the US announced a new proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of another seizure of a Venezuela-linked tanker in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. The M/T Sophia was reportedly seized by US forces with support from DHS.
Footage broadcast by Russian state broadcaster Russia Today appears to show an MH-6 Little Bird helicopter tracking the vessel at sea. However, it is not yet clear if this footage shows an actual boarding attempt.
The incident has sparked concerns about the use of military force in enforcing international sanctions, and has raised questions about the role of the US in regulating global shipping.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the issue, tweeting that he "doubted Nato would be there for us if we really needed them," but insisted that "we will always be there for Nato, even if they won't be there for us."
That's not how international law works, folks. It's like they're trying to create a new rulebook as they go along. I mean, what's next? Seizing Chinese ships for "not being cooperative enough"? 
This whole thing smells like a power play to me.
It's all about showing off military might here. I'm not saying Russia is innocent or anything, but come on, can't we have a proper investigation without all the drama?
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. Like, what even is he talking about? I'm sure Nato would be like, "hey, dude, we've got your back...for now".
So this is crazy! A US naval command just seized a Russian ship in the middle of the ocean. That's some serious power move. But on the other hand, Russia is saying that the US is breaking international law and that it's not cool to use force against ships registered in other countries. I don't know about you guys, but it seems like this could be a slippery slope for global shipping. What if other countries start taking matters into their own hands? And what about the logistics of enforcing sanctions at sea? It's not just a matter of waving a flag and saying "you're not allowed to sail here anymore"... 
Oh my god, this is getting out of hand!!! The US is basically saying it's okay to bully ships on the high seas just because they're registered in Russia... like what's next? Are we gonna start seizing ships from China just 'cause they're not US-friendly 
?! I'm so tired of these powers-that-be playing politics with people's lives and livelihoods. It's like, come on, folks! Can't we all just get along? And what's up with the helicopter footage, btw? Is that some kinda surveillance state stuff or what?! 
I'm seriously worried about where this is all headed... 
US vs Russia: Who's sinking who? 
M/T Sophia being seized too 
Russia says "no state can use force against ships registered in other states" 
Um, didn't the US just break that rule? 
btw, what's up with the "we'll always be there for NATO" tweet? 
like what's next? gonna start arresting ships in the middle of the ocean?
i mean, i get it sanctions and all that, but can we just talk about how the world isn't a big playground anymore? 
[click here](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-seizes-russian-tanker-bell-1-marinera-north-atlantic-2023-08-05/) read more about it 
. What if they were just following orders? It's hard to know what's really going on without all the facts 
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. Do we really want to be seen as aggressive or confrontational? Because from where I'm sitting, this doesn't look like it's going to make us look good 
I'm low-key worried about this tanker seizure by the US. It's one thing to enforce sanctions, but using military force to board ships? That's a whole different story. What's next, gonna start boarding cargo planes at JFK? 
️ Russia's got a point about violating international law and it looks like we're playing with fire here. Who gets to decide who's on the "right" side of the law? The US wants to regulate global shipping but is that just an excuse for more power play? I'm watching this closely, hope it doesn't escalate into something bigger... 
. The thing that's got me worried is how far down the rabbit hole this goes - are we talking about a slippery slope where countries start using military force to enforce sanctions? 
. And what's with all these seizures happening? Is it just a coincidence or is something bigger at play? 
