Russia protects oil tanker with submarine in confrontation with America
In a significant development indicating escalating geopolitical tensions in international waters, US media reports indicate that Russia has dispatched a submarine and naval vessels to escort an oil tanker being pursued by the United States. This Russian move is seen as an attempt to prevent Washington from seizing the tanker as part of the ongoing economic sanctions war.
Details of the naval chase
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, the tanker, formerly named Bella 1, successfully evaded attempts by the US Coast Guard to seize it late last month. Navigation data from MarineTraffic showed the vessel approaching Iceland's exclusive economic zone, at which point Russian naval forces intervened to secure its course.
The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed that it was following with concern what it described as American harassment, noting that the ship was flying the Russian flag and sailing in routes far from the American coasts, which makes the American intervention a violation of freedom of navigation from the Russian point of view.
What is the "Shadow Fleet"?
US officials classify this vessel as part of what is known as the "shadow fleet." This term refers to a vast network of aging ships and oil tankers used by countries under heavy Western sanctions, such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, to transport and export oil beyond the reach of international monitoring systems and Western insurance companies. These vessels typically switch off their tracking devices or frequently change their flags and names to evade detection.
Background of the conflict and economic sanctions
This incident cannot be separated from the historical and political context of strained relations between Washington, Moscow, and Caracas. For years, the United States, particularly during the administration of President Donald Trump, has imposed a maritime embargo and stringent sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro. Russia is considered a strategic ally of Venezuela, having provided it with economic and military support to counter international isolation.
This incident indicates Moscow’s willingness to use its military assets, including submarines, to protect its economic interests and those of its allies, raising the risk of direct military confrontation with U.S. forces in the oceans. The tanker’s success in reaching its destination or evading U.S. capture with Russian assistance sends a clear message of defiance regarding the effectiveness of the U.S. sanctions regime.
