Ukrainian Embassy in US confirms Ukrainians are aboard detained Russian tanker

Ukrainian citizens are among the crew of the Russian vessel Bella 1, which was detained by the US Coast Guard.

Source: Ukrainian Embassy in the United States in a comment to European Pravda

Details: The Ukrainian Embassy in the US said it is "in constant contact with the competent American authorities". The embassy has also informed the US State Department of the need to ensure consular access to the Ukrainian citizens.

The diplomatic mission stressed that further steps will be determined after all circumstances have been established.

"The embassy is keeping the situation under control and is taking all necessary measures to establish contact with Ukrainian citizens," the embassy added.

REN TV, a Russian TV channel, claimed earlier that there are 20 Ukrainians, six Georgian citizens and two Russians on board. The embassy, however, did not confirm whether these numbers match its own data.

Background:

• On 7 January, the US military took control of two tankers, including a Russian-flagged vessel it had pursued for more than two weeks. The vessels have been accused of breaching sanctions. The crews may face trial in the US.
• Vice President JD Vance said that the tanker Bella 1, later re-registered in Russia as Marinera, merely posed as Russian in order to circumvent sanctions and avoid accountability.
• Russia's Foreign Ministry said that US President Donald Trump had decided to release two Russians from the detained tanker. Reports have suggested that many of the crew are Ukrainian citizens. Kyiv is checking the reports.

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