Things could soon become interesting between the United States and Russia. Multiple reports surfaced on Wednesday morning revealing the U.S. military has seized an oil tanker that was flying a Russian flag. The ship was reportedly seized due to violating U.S. sanctions. NBC News broke the story and provided further details on the military operation: The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas. The operation launched Wednesday, according to two U.S. officials, was led by the Department of Homeland Security with support from the U.S. military. The U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera, for violating U.S. sanctions. “The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” it said in a post on X. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth re-shared the post, adding: “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world.” The vessel was initially pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard off Venezuela last month. Take a look: The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure ofthe M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X — U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026 Another angle: Military forces, presumably American, are attempting to board Russian-flagged civilian tanker ‘Marinera’ RIGHT NOW — RT source RT has obtained first exclusive visual confirmation of the boarding attempt https://t.co/lWf62lN7hH pic.twitter.com/rn9xfLmNxi — RT (@RT_com) January 7, 2026 CNN reported that the ship originally did not have a Russian flag hoisted: At some point while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection. Shortly thereafter, the vessel appeared on Russia’s official register of ships under a new name — the Marinera. Russia filed a formal diplomatic request last month demanding that the US stop pursuing the vessel. By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the tanker could become more complicated, but two sources familiar with the matter said the Trump administration hasn’t recognized that status and considers the vessel to be stateless. The US repositioned military assets to the UK ahead of seizing the tanker, CNN has reported. At least 12 US C-17s landed at Fairford and Lakenheath airbases between January 3 and 5, many originating from airfields in the US. V-22 Ospreys were also active in the UK over the past several days, with flight data appearing to show them running training missions in the eastern UK out of Fairford air base. And two AC-130 gunships were seen arriving at Mildenhall base in the UK on Sunday. The US last used Special Operations Forces and assets to help interdict a sanctioned tanker on December 11, when it supported a US Coast Guard operation near the coast of Venezuela to seize the Skipper, a very large crude carrier that was falsely flying Guyana’s flag.