After much speculation over the previous week, and a huge buildup of special forces assets in the UK, the operation to seize the now Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, has finally been launched. Rather than using the aircraft deployed to the UK, multiple images taken from the ship and released by RT instead depict an MH-6 Little Bird, the 160th SOAR’s smallest helicopter, operating near the ship with special forces personnel lining the side doors.
BREAKING: The United States is currently conducting an operation to seize the crude oil tanker Marinera. There is no additional information at this time regarding the status or involvement of any Russian escort vessels. pic.twitter.com/alcm50Y8U5
— GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) January 7, 2026
The scoop came first from Reuters, who reported via unnamed U.S. officials just after 12:30 UTC on Jan. 7 that “The United States is attempting to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a more two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic”.
SCOOP – The United States is attempting to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker after a more two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic
The seizure, which could stoke tensions with Russia, came after the tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, slipped through a U.S. maritime…— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) January 7, 2026
As we said could be the case in our previous article, this might confirm that the deployment of 160th SOAR Black Hawks and Chinooks, as well as activity from the CV-22B Ospreys of the 7th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) at RAF Fairford, could have been intended as a diversionary tactic. While the eyes of the world – Russia’s included – were drawn to these, the real mission force was being assembled elsewhere. If needed, the deployed forces would still be available as a reserve. Or, perhaps, they were here for an exercise after all.
The Little Bird has a shorter range than 160th SOAR’s other options, and is not capable of air to air refueling. Either it had been stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter tailing the oil tanker, or another ship has been lurking nearby – likely with even more aviation facilities. The delay in launching the mission would have been to allow the tanker to come within range of the UK and any reserve forces, for additional support or search and rescue (SAR) coverage.
If true, where did the Little Birds come from? They have no air-air refueling capability. I was spit balling some basic math last night, about a 4.5 hour trip one-way to the Marinera from EGUN flight planning around 160 knots and multiple aerial refuelings with the C-130s.
This… pic.twitter.com/Nj1BKotbnm
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) January 7, 2026
MARINERA (9230880) just made a sudden southbound turn at 11:26 UTC at 60.9386, -16.37014. Decelerated from 9kn to 8kn speed. pic.twitter.com/dH8BnpF6r5
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) January 7, 2026
Shortly before the image was released by RT, a media outlet owned by the Russian state, the Marinera was shown on AIS tracking sites to have changed course directly towards the south. U.S. officials have told reporters that the oil tanker was boarded by U.S. military – including Coast Guard – personnel before surface and sub-surface escorts from the Russian Navy arrived on scene.
U.S. forces boarded sanctioned oil tanker between Iceland and the British isles before Russian warships and a submarine could arrive, officials say. The tanker was previously called Bella 1, but had reflagged to become a Russian vessel.
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 7, 2026
AC-130Js departed Mildenhall earlier and routed towards the north – while their armament is very unlikely to come into play, their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload and communications capabilities would allow them to provide overwatch for the operation as well as feed information in real time back to military and government officials. P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have also been continuing their patrols.
Update 14:00 UTC
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has confirmed the seizure of the vessel, which they refer to as Bella 1. The operation was undertaken to enforce a warrant from a U.S. federal court. It also reveals the identity of the tailing U.S. Coast Guard cutter as the USCGC Munro (WMSL 755).
The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of
the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions. The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. pic.twitter.com/bm5KcCK30X— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) January 7, 2026
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.