U.S. seized Russian oil tanker Marinera in Jan for sanctions evasion; now en route to U.S. for prosecution.

A Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, seized by U.S. forces in the North Atlantic on January 7, has departed Scotland’s Moray Firth after being detained for allegedly violating sanctions by transporting oil from Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The vessel, which sailed under a false flag, was escorted to Scotland with 28 crew members detained. The UK provided logistical support, including naval and air assets, while the U.S. plans judicial forfeiture. The ship is now being towed across the Atlantic to the U.S., where the captain, a Georgian national, faces federal charges for evading detection and refusing to comply with a U.S. Coast Guard order. The incident sparked diplomatic concern in Scotland, prompting a call between the First Minister and the UK Prime Minister.