The United States has begun a high-stakes effort to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Sea after pursuing the vessel for more than two weeks. The move comes amid reports that Moscow attempted to protect the ship by deploying naval forces to escort it.
❗️ 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
Russian state broadcaster RT released two grainy photographs showing a helicopter approaching the tanker and said an operation was underway. Reuters, citing two US officials, also reported that American forces were attempting to board the vessel.