UK forces help US seize tanker under Russian flag

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has said that the country's armed forces supported a US operation to detain the Russian-flagged tanker Bella 1, now known as Marinera, in the North Atlantic on 7 January, including with the help of UK aircraft.

Source: a statement by Healey quoted by the BBC, European Pravda reports

Details: Healey noted that the UK Armed Forces "showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia."

He added that the action was part of global efforts to combat sanctions violations.

"This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine. The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability – making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey said.

Background:

• On 7 January, the United States detained the tanker Bella 1 (Marinera) under the Russian flag after pursuing it from Venezuela. The vessel was detained for violating US sanctions.
• The New York Times reported that the Russian government officially sent a diplomatic request to the United States to stop the pursuit of the tanker.
• Russia's Ministry of Transport stated that the United States had no right to detain the tanker Marinera.

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