Russia has confirmed that the United States has agreed to release two Russian crew members detained aboard a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized earlier this week in the North Atlantic.
According to Moscow, the decision followed a formal request to Washington. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday that US President Donald Trump authorised the release of the two Russian citizens who were on board the tanker Marinera, which was intercepted by American forces during a maritime operation.
“We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership,” Zakharova said in a statement.
The oil tanker, previously known as Bella-1 before changing its registration to Russia and being renamed Marinera, was seized by US authorities despite being escorted by the Russian navy. Washington has accused the vessel of belonging to a so-called “shadow fleet” allegedly used to transport oil for sanctioned countries, including Russia, Iran and Venezuela, in violation of US sanctions.
Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Telegram that President Trump had ordered the release of “all Russians” aboard the tanker.
Earlier, US officials had indicated that members of the Marinera’s crew could face prosecution, a position Russia strongly opposed, describing it as “categorically unacceptable.”
Moscow has also criticised the seizure of the tanker, accusing Washington of escalating tensions and endangering international maritime security. On Thursday, Russia’s foreign ministry warned that the action could provoke further military and political confrontation, expressing concern over what it described as the United States’ readiness to trigger serious international crises.
The incident has added to already strained relations between the two countries, amid ongoing disputes over sanctions enforcement and global shipping routes.
