Screengrap from X
In what is clearly a further act of piracy on the high seas by the Trump administration a Russian oil tanker has been boarded by US forces as it headed towards Russia. This time rather than in the Caribbean the attack took place just off British waters with the assistance of the British military, and could be seen as an act of war by the US on Russia.
Flights of US military aircraft have been recorded leaving UK bases and were seen in the region of the tanker. There have been reports of British jets being scrambled to assist the shadowing operation and the seizing of the tanker as it sailed close to British waters. The UK Ministry of Defence later confirmed the UK provided “enabling support” to the US.
The tanker was sailing in the Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. Russia deployed a submarine, along with warships to escort the tanker in response to the US threats, but according to news reports the US military boarded before Russian assistance reached the vessel.
The US has been building up its military aircraft fleet and bringing in Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters over the last few days to its bases in Britain, supposedly in preparation for the raid on the tanker. It has also been amassing gunships in British bases in recent days.
The tanker recently changed its name to from Bella 1 to Marinera and was reflagged as a Russian vessel. It was sanctioned by the US for transporting Venezuelan oil after the US imposed sanctions on all tankers entering and leaving Venezuela in December. The tanker is currently believed to be empty having turned around on its way to Venezuela after attempts by the US Coast Guard to board the ship.
An MoD spokesperson initially refused to comment on the actions in the North Atlantic, saying “As routine, we do not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third party use of UK bases.
“The US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. The depth of our defence relationship with the US remains an essential part of our security.” However, British support for the US operation has now been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry said, “our vessel [was] sailing in the international waters of the North Atlantic under the state flag of the Russian Federation in full compliance with the norms of international maritime law.”
According to CBS News, Washington always intended to seize not sink the ship. The ship has been followed for days but moved into an area on Wednesday where weather conditions made boarding the vessel possible.
US military boarding a Russian flagged ship would likely be considered an act of war. It is disgraceful and incredibly dangerous for the UK to be aiding this blatant act of piracy.
Join the protest on Saturday against Trump’s wars – No to Trump’s War on Venezuela! Saturday 10 January, Downing Street 1pm
Article updated Wednesday 7 Jan at 15:50