Russia says U.S. seizure of Russian-flagged tanker was illegal

Russia said the U.S. boarded the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera near Iceland and called the action a violation of maritime law; U.S. officials said the Coast Guard and U.S. military carried out the boarding and reported no confrontation with Russian forces.

Russia has protested the U.S. boarding of a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, in the Atlantic and described the action as a breach of maritime law. The Transport Ministry said contact with the vessel was lost after U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland. The Foreign Ministry, cited by state news agency TASS, demanded humane treatment of the Russian crew and their swift return. U.S. officials told Reuters the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard and U.S. military and reported no clash with Russian forces in the area. Key details: - Russia's Transport Ministry reported losing contact with the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera after U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland. - The Russian Foreign Ministry and state media demanded humane treatment and return of the Russian crew, and a senior lawmaker described the action as "outright piracy." - Two U.S. officials told Reuters the Coast Guard and U.S. military conducted the operation and said there were no indications of a confrontation with nearby Russian military vessels. Summary: The incident prompted formal Russian protests, including references to the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, and demands for the crew's treatment and return. Undetermined at this time.