US Seizes Russia-Flagged Tanker After Dramatic North Atlantic Chase

• US forces seized the M/V Bella 1, a Russia-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela, in the North Atlantic.
• The seizure followed a dramatic sea chase across the ocean due to violations of US sanctions.
• The vessel was tracked by USCGC Munro and involved US Coast Guard, American, and UK surveillance aircraft.
• The tanker had previously evaded a US naval blockade around Venezuela and changed its flag to Russia during the chase.
• The US Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security announced the seizure, executing a warrant from a US federal court.

Why It Matters: US forces successfully seized a Russia-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela for sanctions violations after a long chase.