US seizes two Venezuela-linked oil tankers including Russian-flagged vessel

American forces on Wednesday seized two oil tankers the US said had been used to smuggle Venezuelan oil, including a Russia-flagged vessel in the Atlantic believed to have carried illegal cargo for a company allegedly owned by Hezbollah.

Footage released by the US showed troops rappelling from helicopters to board the vessels during predawn takeovers of the ships. The tanker in the Atlantic, the Marinera – formerly called Bella 1 – was seized after breaking through Washington's maritime blockade off Venezuela more than two weeks ago.

The military's Southern Command described the second ship, Sophia, as a stateless “dark fleet” motor tanker that was apprehended in international waters in the Caribbean.

“US Coast Guard tactical teams worked closely with counterparts at the Departments of War, Department of Justice and State and used their specialised expertise to conduct these operations and conduct two safe, effective boardings within hours of each other," US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

The Bella 1 tanker changed its name to Marinera, painting the word on its hull while being pursued, and had adopted the Russian flag, Ms Noem said.

US forces board Russian-flagged vessel 01:13

Its capture could raise tension with Moscow as the Trump administration negotiates with Russia in a bid to end the war in Ukraine. Andrey Klishas, a ⁠senior ​Russian legislator ​from the ‌ruling United Russia ​party, described the ship's seizure as an act of outright ''piracy'', the Tass state news agency reported.

Russia's Transport ⁠Ministry ​said it ‍had lost ⁠all ‌contact with the Marinera ⁠after US naval forces boarded it. The ship had avoided the maritime blockade after rebuffing US Coast Guard attempts to board it off Venezuela last month.

Under international law, vessels flying a country's flag are under the protection of that nation. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported a Russian submarine had been escorting the tanker.

After a transatlantic pursuit by the US Coast Guard lasting more than two weeks, military personnel carried out the operation to take over the Marinera early on Wednesday.