ISTANBUL

Russia on Thursday described the US’ seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, previously known as M/V Bella 1, in the North Atlantic Ocean as a “gross violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law.”

A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry described the seizure as an “illegal military action” taken by the US, saying the Marinera received temporary permission to fly the country's flag on Dec. 24 and was "innocently passing through international waters," heading toward a Russian port.

The statement said that US authorities were repeatedly informed about the vessel's “Russian identity and its civilian, peaceful status.”

“They had no doubt about this, nor was there any basis for speculating that the tanker was sailing ‘without a flag’ or ‘under a false flag’,” it further said.

It said international maritime law "clearly provides for the exclusive jurisdiction of the flag state with respect to vessels on the high seas," and that Russia not only refused to give consent but also formally protested the pursuit by the US.

"Under these circumstances, the boarding and actual seizure of a peaceful vessel by US military personnel on the high seas, as well as the capture of its crew, cannot be interpreted as anything other than a gross violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law, as well as freedom of navigation," it said.

The statement went on to say that Russia considered Washington's reference to its own "sanctions legislation" for the seizure to be “unfounded,” adding that Moscow considered the US' threat of legal action against the vessel’s crew "under absurd pretexts” as “categorically unacceptable.”

"The suggestions by individual US officials that the seizure of the Marinera is part of a broader strategy to establish Washington's unlimited control over Venezuela's natural resources are extremely cynical. We strongly reject such neocolonialist pretensions," it said.

It also expressed regret and alarm over Washington's "willingness to generate acute international crises, including in Russian-American relations," further arguing the Marinera's seizure "can only lead to a further escalation of military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region."

“We call on Washington to return to compliance with the fundamental norms and principles of international maritime navigation and immediately cease its illegal actions against the Marinera, as well as other vessels engaged in legitimate activities on the high seas,” it added.

On Wednesday, US forces announced the seizure of the Marinera in the North Atlantic Ocean for “violations of US sanctions."

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the tanker was considered part of Venezuela’s "shadow fleet" and was transporting oil subject to US sanctions.

She told reporters the vessel was deemed "stateless" after sailing under a "false flag" and was subject to a judicial seizure order, which she said formed the legal basis for US action.

"That means the crew is now subject to prosecution for any applicable violation of federal law, and they will be brought to the United States for such prosecution if necessary," Leavitt added.