4 ms·
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,
by 2OEH8eoCRo0 10mo 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 10mo agoYes, it got sanctioned according to the SDGT list, which means its transporting IRGC oil (or rather at least it got sanctioned for that).
- Arrowmaster 10mo agoHow 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 10mo agoPainting 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.