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Very hard to make sense of this story. On the one hand, I've not seen any concrete evidence that suggests that this particular vessel has transported Russian o

Very hard to make sense of this story. On the one hand, I've not seen any concrete evidence that suggests that this particular vessel has transported Russian oil in the past, and as the article says the flag was "painted on". On the other hand, Russian media did confirm that a sub and other unspecified battleships were sent to assist it.

2OEH8eoCRo0 9mo ago
https://lite.cnn.com/2026/01/07/politics/oil-tanker-us-seizure https://lite.cnn.com/2026/01/07/politics/oil-tanker-us-seizu... > Originally called the Bella 1, the tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting illicit oil. > The US Coast Guard had tried to seize the tanker last month when it was near Venezuela, but US forces were unable to board it after the ship turned around and fled. > At some point while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection.
- mamonster 9mo ago
  Yes, it got sanctioned according to the SDGT list, which means its transporting IRGC oil (or rather at least it got sanctioned for that).
- Arrowmaster 9mo ago
  How does an oil tanker flee coast guard ships? I feel like more details are needed on that aspect. Did it reach international waters before they could board it so they stopped or did it reach rough seas that smaller ships couldn't enter? Tankers are supposed to be massive slow hulks so I don't expect it was speed that let it escape.
- belorn 9mo ago
  Painting the flag on the hull while at sea seems very similar to the plotline in Lord of War when they repainted the name of the ship in order to avoid detection. It is not a very standard operation at sea. The Russian shadow fleet is well known for flying a false flag so it makes it a bit ironic when a ship of that suddenly claim to be Russian when it want others to treat it as being Russian.

2OEH8eoCRo0 9mo ago

https://lite.cnn.com/2026/01/07/politics/oil-tanker-us-seizure https://lite.cnn.com/2026/01/07/politics/oil-tanker-us-seizu... > Originally called the Bella 1, the tanker was sanctioned by the US in 2024 for operating within a “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting illicit oil. > The US Coast Guard had tried to seize the tanker last month when it was near Venezuela, but US forces were unable to board it after the ship turned around and fled. > At some point while being pursued, the crew of the tanker painted a Russian flag on its hull, claiming it was sailing under Russian protection.

mamonster 9mo ago
Yes, it got sanctioned according to the SDGT list, which means its transporting IRGC oil (or rather at least it got sanctioned for that).
Arrowmaster 9mo ago
How does an oil tanker flee coast guard ships? I feel like more details are needed on that aspect. Did it reach international waters before they could board it so they stopped or did it reach rough seas that smaller ships couldn't enter? Tankers are supposed to be massive slow hulks so I don't expect it was speed that let it escape.
belorn 9mo ago
Painting the flag on the hull while at sea seems very similar to the plotline in Lord of War when they repainted the name of the ship in order to avoid detection. It is not a very standard operation at sea. The Russian shadow fleet is well known for flying a false flag so it makes it a bit ironic when a ship of that suddenly claim to be Russian when it want others to treat it as being Russian.