Three Indians among crew of Russian oil tanker seized off Venezuela, US says

Washington: Three Indians are among the crew members of a Russian tanker seized by the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, named Bella 1, was formerly known as Marinera. The US alleges that the tanker had been involved in illegal activities for a long time and that a US court had issued an order for its seizure. The US has said it will file criminal charges against the tanker's crew. Meanwhile, Russia has demanded the release of its citizens among the tanker's crew.

Nationalities of the Marinera's Crew

According to Russia Today, the Bella 1, or Marinera, tanker had 28 crew members on board at the time of its seizure. The US has stated that the tanker's crew included 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, two Russians, and three Indians. The tanker's captain is also a Georgian citizen. All have been detained after the tanker was seized. US investigators are examining the tanker's ownership, chartering arrangements, and compliance with maritime and sanctions regulations.

US Alleges Transport of Sanctioned Oil

The US alleges that the tanker was carrying oil from Venezuela. It accused the tanker of being part of efforts to circumvent existing international sanctions. The tanker was chartered by a private trader. According to Washington, it was involved in transporting oil linked to Venezuela "in violation of international sanctions." According to the report, before being stopped, the tanker was allegedly operating under the name Bella 1, and its name was changed to Marinera last month after it evaded the US blockade of Venezuela.

Three Indians on board Russian oil tanker seized near Venezuela, US says it will file criminal charges

Curated by: Priyesh Mishra | NavbharatTimes.com • January 8, 2026, 10:58 pm IST

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Three Indians are among the crew of the Russian tanker seized in the Atlantic Ocean. The US has detained the entire crew of this tanker. It has said that a criminal case will be filed against these people in a US court. The crew includes mostly Ukrainian citizens.

Russian tanker seized by US

US seizes Russian tanker

Washington: Three Indians are among the crew members of the Russian tanker that the US Coast Guard seized in the North Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Venezuela. The tanker is named Bella 1, which was previously known as Marinera. The US alleges that this tanker was involved in illegal activities for a long time and a US court had issued an order for its seizure. The US has said that it is going to file a criminal case against the crew of this tanker. Meanwhile, Russia has demanded the release of its citizens included in the tanker's crew.

Nationalities of the Marinera crew

According to Russia Today, at the time the Bella 1 or Marinera tanker was seized, there were 28 crew members on board. The US has stated that the tanker's crew includes 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, two Russians, and three Indians. The captain of the tanker is also a Georgian citizen. After the tanker was seized, everyone was taken into custody. US investigators are investigating the ownership, chartering arrangements, and compliance with maritime and sanctions regulations of this tanker. by TaboolaSponsored Links

The US alleges that this tanker was carrying oil from Venezuela. It accused the tanker of being part of efforts to circumvent existing international sanctions. The tanker was chartered by a private trader. According to Washington, it was involved in transporting oil linked to Venezuela "in violation of international sanctions." According to the report, before being intercepted, the tanker was allegedly operating under the name Bella 1, and its name was changed to Marinera last month after it evaded the US blockade of Venezuela.

US to prosecute Marinera crew

The entire crew of the Marinera is in US custody. The US has said it will file criminal charges against the crew aboard the seized Russian ship Marinera. US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on the X social network that US authorities will file criminal charges against the crew members of the seized Marinera tanker, also known as Bella-1. In her words, the ship's personnel "tried very hard to save" the tanker, which was allegedly "carrying oil from Venezuela in violation of international sanctions."