In a significant de-escalation of tensions, the United States has released two Russian crew members who were detained aboard the Marinera, a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized in the North Atlantic earlier this week.
The move follows heightened diplomatic friction between Moscow and Washington over the seizure, which the U.S. says targeted vessels transporting oil in violation of American sanctions.
The operation, carried out on January 7, was part of a broader U.S. effort to curb the activities of what it describes as a “shadow fleet” supplying oil to countries including Venezuela, Russia, and Iran.
The tanker had been escorted by the Russian navy at the time of its interception, a factor that intensified international concern.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the decision to release the crew members came after formal requests to the U.S., with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressing gratitude for the release.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev further noted that President Donald Trump had decided to free “all Russians” on board the tanker.
The seizure had previously sparked sharp criticism from Moscow, which described the action as illegal and warned that it could increase military and political tensions.
Russian officials maintained that the tanker was operating under international law and Russian regulations, and condemned any threat of prosecution against its crew as “categorically unacceptable.”
The release of the two crew members is expected to ease immediate tensions, though the broader standoff over maritime oil shipments and sanctions enforcement remains unresolved.
Analysts suggest that this incident highlights ongoing challenges in U.S.-Russia relations, particularly around sanctions and international maritime security.
The DDM will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as diplomatic discussions progress.
